Surviving and thriving in the aftermath of ‘Yolanda’
A decade later, survivor Aileen and other members of her community in Leyte — all beneficiaries of World Vision’s livelihood and disaster preparedness programs — are back on their feet
Natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons leave lasting effects on people.
But it is also during these moments when stories of bravery, resilience and support emerge.
Ten years ago, super typhoon “Yolanda,” internationally known as Haiyan, devastated the Philippines in November 2013. But a decade later, survivors Aileen and other members of her community in Leyte — all beneficiaries of humanitarian organization World Vision’s livelihood and disaster preparedness programs — are back on their feet.
“With the help of donors and supporters in the country and abroad, World Vision was able to provide aid to more than 1.6 million people from 2013-2019,” said Rommel Fuerte, World Vision’s executive director.
The organization provided food, shelter, livelihood, health and nutrition, disaster preparedness and educational assistance during the relief, recovery and rehabilitation phase of the program.
World Vision also extended help designed to ensure that the residents had the means to survive and thrive. For Aileen and other survivors who underwent dressmaking training, it came in the form of sewing machines.
“After the dressmaking training, we received sewing machines from World Vision to help us start our business. I’m now earning income and able to help my husband with our daily expenses,” Aileen said.
She also became part of the organization’s community savings group, which enabled her to achieve her dream of owning a house.
“For 13 years, we didn’t have our own house, we were just renting. But I saved and persevered. Now we have our own home,” Aileen said.
In another community where farming is the main source of livelihood, World Vision introduced climate smart agriculture, an approach that guides farmers to manage their crops through sustainable methods to help them adapt to climate change.
Lanie, one of the participants in the CSA training, said, “That was helpful for me because I learned about plants that help absorb water and plants that can provide shade to other crops. We also learned different concoctions — organic pesticides and organic foliar.”
The community’s demo farm now produces organic vegetables such as eggplants and string beans.
For town official Andro Culasi, learning about the importance of disaster preparedness promoted a stronger sense of community and security.
“There’s been a big change in our community after super typhoon “Yolanda.” We now have a public address system in designated areas in our community. Before the typhoon, we didn’t have that. We used to inform people through text messages,” he said.
In addition, the town conducts regular disaster-related drills that involve everyone, including students, in coordination with schools. It has also built a small evacuation center for families living in flood-prone areas.
The community’s Risk Reduction and Management Committee also became more active, providing training like first aid and basic life support.
“I could say that we are more prepared now than before,” Culasi said.
Aileen, Lanie and Andro are just a few of the people that World Vision has assisted and whose lives and communities are thriving 10 years after super typhoon “Yolanda” hit Central Visayas.
“After a decade, we have gone a long way in ensuring that we continue to innovate our humanitarian response, collaborate with partners and help build resilient communities where children thrive and live full lives,” Fuerte said.