Aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Yolanda

On 29 December 2018 Tropical Depression Usman hit the Philippines, causing severe flooding, landslides, and destroying infrastructure and homes. According to local authorities, at least 122 have been killed and an additional 28 people are missing, as of 3 January 2019. Local media reported that because the storm was not strong enough to be categorized as a typhoon, residents failed to take the necessary precautions preceding the storm, causing even more damage. More than 75,000 families totaling at 305,000 individuals were affected, with many living in temporary evacuation centers. Amid these difficult circumstances, urgent support is needed.

On 3 January 2019, IsraAID's team based in Leyte deployed to the Sagñay municipality to conduct an initial needs assessment and provide Psychological First Aid for communities in need of support. The Emergency Response Team, made up Filipino and Israeli IsraAID Philippines staff members, arrived on the ground to distribute relief items and identify next steps.

Since arriving in Buhi, Camarines Sur, the IsraAID team has worked in evacuation shelters to support affected communities' mental health needs. IsraAID Psychosocial Support Specialists are providing activities for children and their families in the evacuation center's Child Friendly Spaces, focusing on building resilience and teaching children new coping mechanisms to use in these challenging moments of uncertainty.

More updates to follow! Thank you for your support!

On September 15, Typhoon Ompong/Mangkhut whipped through the Philippines, ravaging the northern parts of Luzon, the country’s largest and most-populated island.

Just two days later, the IsraAID Philippines emergency response team arrived in Benguet, a province badly affected by the typhoon.

According to reports, some 127 individuals lost their lives in the Philippines as a result of the storm, and more than 190,000 people were displaced from their homes to evacuation centers. The storm caused secondary landslides and flooding impacting over 590,000 residents. The Tuguegarao airport was hit especially hard, severely limiting access to more isolated locations hit by the storm, complicating humanitarian aid provisions as waters continued to rise.

The IsraAID team reached the Benguet region and conducted rapid assessments together with partners, reaching isolated indigenous municipalities around Benguet that were previously unreachable due to mudslides. In some cases, IsraAID's delegation was the first to reach some municipalities where assessments were conducted. Local community members thanked the team for coming, “you guys got here so fast…you have no idea how badly you’re needed.”

Psychological First Aid

Following the initial needs assessment, IsraAID psychosocial support counselors were dispatched to the Itogon Evacuation Center and established child-friendly spaces to host emotional support activities to children whose homes were destroyed. The team worked with youth in a specialized three-day activity to allow them to express themselves and process their feelings during these times of extreme vulnerability.

The staff later built a specialized training program, partnering with a group of local teachers, student aides and NGO workers to provide them with psychological first aid tools and curricula for implementation. IsraAID Philippines will continue to work in the area by teaming up with members of the community to provide sustainable long-term solutions for the people of Benguet.

Emergency Relief Distribution

In close coordination with municipal, provincial and national governments, IsraAID delivered much-needed hygiene kits to an estimated 500+ people living in secluded townships high in the Cordillera Central mountain range. The kits were assembled locally and packed in eco-friendly bags that can be reused by beneficiaries -- families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the recent typhoon.

In addition, a local doctor traveled with the team to assess emergency needs and provide basic triage and first aid to patients.

Thank you for your support as IsraAID Philippines continues to respond to changing needs on the ground!