PH-013983

TYPHOON HAIYAN: DISASTER APPEAL REPORT The Philippines

Report for initiative PH-013983

OVERVIEW

LOCATION The Philippines PROJECT 115 projects affected by Typhoon Haiyan INITIATIVE Typhoon Haiyan: Emergency Relief Assistance BENEFICIARIES Over 24,000 Compassion-assisted children, their families and project staff FUNDING £1,560,728 (£345,000 received to date) START DATE November 2013

TYPHOON HAIYAN: IMPACT

The recent Typhoon Haiyan is the most powerful cyclone to hit the Philippines. In fact, it is considered to be the strongest recorded tropical cyclone to make landfall in world history and has devastated coastal towns across central Philippines. With gusts of wind reaching 315 km/h (195 mph) and waves up to 15 metres (45 feet), it washed away homes and buildings, cut electricity and water supplies and scattered debris over major roads. This made immediate relief assistance to critically affected areas unfeasible, despite the aggressive efforts from government and humanitarian agencies. Many survivors had to bury their dead in mass graves, and struggled with the lack of clean water, electricity and food. The UN has estimated that 11 million people have been affected by this disaster and the Philippine government declared the country to be in a state of calamity. The Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on 8 November that the official death toll had risen to 5,924 with 1,779 people still missing. It estimated that the cost of the damage to infrastructure and agriculture was over £500 million. The BBC's global health correspondent, Tulip Mazumdar reported that there are concerns about the spread of diseases, as families left homeless continue to live in cramped, unsanitary conditions. Health experts have warned that the worst-affected areas are entering a peak danger period for the spread of infectious diseases.

Ormoc Airport

COMPASSION’S RESPONSE

Compassion started in The Philippines in 1972 and has subsequently established 309 projects with a current total of 69,000 children sponsored. Compassion Philippines has three major programmes: the Child Sponsorship Programme, the Child Survival Programme and the Leadership Development Programme. 106 Compassion projects were initially affected by Typhoon Haiyan, but thanks to relief efforts, many were able to resume their activities. However, 52 projects were severely affected with their buildings either partially or totally destroyed and it is unlikely that normal operations will be resumed for some time. In response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan on 8 November 2013, Compassion launched this six month emergency relief assistance initiative to provide for the children and families supported by these 52 severely affected projects. The inititive has been split into four complementary actions: 1. EMERGENCY RELIEF The first stage of the relief operation was the provision of food and basic supplies immediately after the disaster. The number of beneficiaries receiving this assistance reached 14,000 with 52 Compassion projects requiring funding to re-establish full operation (in the affected areas, all project days have temporarily been suspended). 3,985 relief packages have been distributed. When a disaster like this strikes, the first assistance that sponsored children get is from their project. Compassion projects have their own disaster response protocol that is unique to their area and needs, and staff are trained in risk assessment and response planning. Most projects have also established strong links with local government agencies and non-government organisations, putting them in a strong position to respond when the need arises. Although project staff themselves suffered, they still made a way to check on the children. Because of the lack of communication, Compassion Philippines country director Noel Pabiona went to areas and together with project staff, conducted a rapid appraisal; all children have been accounted for. On November 13, the disaster response team for Typhoon Haiyan began packing relief items to be sent to projects in Leyte, Samar, Panay, Negros and Cebu with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who transported the goods on military planes; these efforts have since continued.

Of the 66,400 Compassion-assisted children in the

Philippines, 11,419 were affected.

2. MEDICAL The second component is the provision of immediate medical care to beneficiaries in the Haiyan aftermath. With the lack of safe drinking water, and the additional hygiene and sanitation challenges, waterborne diseases are a major concern, and will require ongoing support until utilities have been somewhat restored. 3. COUNSELLING Those who survived the storm are being given access to psychosocial care, including trauma counselling and emotional support. Project staff will also be trained in providing basic and more long-term counselling. Many have lost loved ones, their homes and their belongings and will need loving support as they begin to rebuild their lives. 4. SUPPORT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE The fourth phase of Compassion’s relief effort to the Philippines will involve the provision of necessary items such as shoes, school uniforms, and basic household items. Projects will also be given a support fund from which to re-establish operations by purchasing computers, office furniture and supplies. The Philippine government hopes to restore power supplies to major cities within a month, however full restoration to remote towns and municipalities is not expected until the second quarter of 2014. Projects in these areas will therefore be provided with a small 2,400 watt generator that will allow basic office functions to take place. This report outlines Compassion's initial response to the devastation left in the wake of the storm, however this is only the beginning. The extensive damage to infrastructure and industry means that the road ahead for rebuilding is long. Many children have lost their homes and families have lost their sources of income. Consequently, RESPOND Initiatives addressing infrastructure needs in the Philippines will be launched to rebuild and repair houses and projects of the children we support.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for responding to Compassion's Philippines disaster relief appeal. You have enabled us to provide emergency assistance to over 24,000 registered children and their families who have had their lives drastically affected by Typhoon Haiyan. This initiative is providing ongoing medical and psychological care, food and supplies and we trust continually in God's faithfulness and goodness. A further follow-up report will be made available in July 2014. If you have any questions, or would like to know more about subsequent initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Preston on 07830 791899 or at MarkP@compassionuk.org. Thank you.

“Dear Friends and Spiritual Family from around the world, Thank you for your messages, prayers and concern for our current situation in the Philippines. As you know, a super typhoon named Haiyan (deadlier than Hurricane Katrina that had swept the US) ravaged the provinces in the central part of our archipelago last Friday. These cities are a plane ride away from Manila, so those of us who live in the capital city are safe. Before the typhoon struck, Christians were praying that the Lord would change the typhoon’s course. As it was however, fierce winds and tsunami-like waves totally whipped these provinces, killing an estimated 10,000 helpless victims. Warnings and preparations for evacuation and relief work were no match for the winds and rain. Many cities now look like no man’s land. But our Lord is sovereign over all; He never fails us and we believe that as a nation, this is an opportunity to show our spirit of unity, deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and demonstrate our selfless giving. We have not seen in our history such a generous outpouring of aid and supplies from within the country (through the private sector), and from countries around the world, (some of them erstwhile ‘enemies’ of the Philippines). Everywhere, we see people wanting to help out and give their support. Please pray with us through the weeks and months ahead of relief, rescue and rehabilitation work, on behalf of the millions of Filipinos who are helpless victims of this tragedy.” Menchit Wong – Child Advocacy Director for Compassion International