Haiyan

Madridejos Report – Typhoon Haiyan Recovery

 

 

 

 

church

Iron bars were made to look like cellophane in the aftermath.

The only materials which survived the typhoon were those houses built with cement and brick. Even these were not spared damage with most either losing their roof completely or loosing some sheets of iron. And if they were spared by the wind they would not necessarily be spared by the palm trees, with about half the palm trees breaking in half, with some of these crashing through houses.

boat

A lot of people lost their boats, and with them their livelihoods.

bathroom

If the house did not fall down, the roof flew off.

When we arrived there was still a desperation for meals, but as we approached a week after the typhoon hit, there was a switch in focus from feeding to housing, unfortunately, even if people had the money, they would not necessarily be able to find the materials which would enable them to rebuild their houses.

brick slab

This house was destroyed, except the toilet and kitchen sink.

house

Homes like this are being used as temporary shelters.

With no cement or bricks available people have resorted to building houses with light materials again, or if they cannot afford these, they are simply living underneath the rubble of what used to be their homes. In one case we found that a family of 8 was living in a cavity a meter high and four square meters in area. When we began clearing this and helping them rebuild they had been in this situation for 10 days.

Madridejos

On the left a brick house survives, to the right, light materials are turned to ruin. People were living underneath the rubble here.

relief goods

People come from all directions in the hope of receiving some relief goods (rice and water).

For those with houses that survived, they are helping their neighbors rebuild and letting the children sleep inside at night. These are the small actions which remind us of humanity. Right now I am in Cebu with my other team mates trying to find resources before they head back to the island, whilst for me it is about going home to Australia to help raise some much needed funds to the purchase the materials which are needed for homes and boats, to help restore the lives of the people in Malbago and Bantayan.

You can find out more about how to help on The Malbago Fund Facebook event.

Typhoon Haiyan Scout

These things can’t be planned, but when the Typhoon struck my immediate reaction was that it was going to financial support which was the most immediate requirement. However as communication started to filter through it became apparent that another kind of support was required, that is the psychological, and the physical presence of help and support.

I’ve been able to have a few days preparation, and although I am motivated to get over there and help out, I have to admit to being nervous, this is the shift from the virtual removed support to the on the ground, and as such it’s going to be important to arrive sharp and to build understanding of situation and context as quickly as possible.

This trip will be to provide immediate support, but also to get a clear understanding as to how my friends and wider community can help out over the next weeks and months. Is it going to be the physical presence which will really help or is it more on the financial side?

There’s only one way to really know, and to be able to effectively communicate that back home, that’s to go and find out for myself.

I’ll try and post updates on twitter (@CliveSilcock), when and if there is access to internet.

So adios, and I hope to report back soon on what our best action is.