Build Rescue Boats in Flood Prone Communities

Thank you so much for helping to build rescue boats in flood prone communities.

As we explained in a previous project report we’ve made the sad but necessary decision to close down our charity, International Disaster Volunteers (IDV) in early 2023.

As part of this process we’re planning to close down this project here on GlobalGiving by Sunday 15 January. This is the final project report we’ll be sending before we do.

This is a sad report to write as this project has been active for almost 10 years, but thanks to your amazing generosity we’ve been able to make an incredible impact working in partnership with an incredible local organisation called Buklod Tao.

Because of your amazing support we’ve been able to provide 12 completely new rescue boats and refurbish another 6 that were originally provided by other donors. Together, this fleet of boats protects almost 5,500 families during the Philippines annual typhoon season.

This is already a fantastic legacy and I’m delighted to say that since announcing our closure we’ve raised over $1,500 here on GlobalGiving to support Buklod’s Tao ongoing work after we close down. What’s more GlobalGiving has also awarded us an amazing $10,000 towards the same end.

It’s hard to state just how grateful we are for this support. While we’re obviously sad to be closing down IDV, we’re heartened that Buklod Tao’s amazing efforts will continue. Thank you so much for making this possible.

We also asked Buklod Tao’s President, Noli, if he had a message for you and here’s what he had to say:

“We here at Buklod Tao, Inc. wish to manifest our heartfelt "Salamat po"/Thank You to all our IDV friends and to GlobalGiving for the continuing support in the interest of community development initiatives in this part of the Philippines (island of Luzon, province of Rizal, town of San Mateo, village of Banaba).

Godspeed, IDV.

God's blessings to GlobalGiving.”

If you’d like to stay in touch with Buklod Tao after we close, and potentially even continue to support them, then please reach out to Noli using linobotak@gmail.com.

And if you would like to make one final donation via GlobalGiving, please do so now.

You can find out more about our plans to close down IDV on our website, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.

Thank you so much for helping Filipino communities prepare for disaster.

As we explained in a previous project report we’re raising funds this Holiday season to help improve and maintain the Banaba Livelihood & Evacuation Centre after our charity closes. We then shared the stories of Rheanna, Michelle and Walter to show how this vital building provides shelter to residents during typhoons and helps them earn an income at other times.

Opportunities to earn an income are critical in helping people to prepare for disaster because poverty and vulnerability are closely linked. One livelihood project based in the building is the manufacture of products for sale, including shopping bags and slippers. A resident who’s benefitted from this project is 72 year old Nelia (pictured above).

Nelia lives in Banaba Extension and has been able to use her sewing skills on a number of occasions thanks to your support. Nelia explained as follows:

"I earned some money for sewing tasks given to me, like sewing curtains for the second floor family cubicles, sewing coco feet slippers and tetra shopping bags. Much appreciation for the help".

We echo Nelia’s thanks. Without your support, the building wouldn’t be watertight today. Your donations also enabled us to provide Buklod Tao with the funds to purchase the sewing machines and to pay Nelia for her services.

We know money is tight right now but we hope you’ll consider making a further donation to this project if you can. In doing so, you’ll help ensure that residents like Nelia better protect themselves from disaster.

You can find out more about our plans to close down IDV on our website, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.

Thank you so much for helping to build rescue boats for flood prone communities.

In a recent project report we explained how we’re raising funds this Holiday season to help maintain our vital fleet of rescue boats in Banaba, just outside of Manila, after our charity closes. We then shared the stories of Felisa and Monica to show just how vital these boats really are.

Since launching this appeal on Nov 29 donors like you have given an amazing $500 to this project, and in this report we wanted to highlight yet another resident who’s been rescued by these boats in the past.

Rolando (pictured above) is 45 years old and lives in the Sition North Libis area of Banana with his wife, sister and three young children - Reynaldo, Raymart and Raven. 

When Tropical Storm Karding (known internationally as Yagi) struck in August 2018 the youngest, Raven, was just 4 years old and the other 2 were both under 10. Heavy rains caused nearby rivers to overflow and the flood waters reached the roof of their family home, placing the children in real danger.

Thankfully, one of the rescue boats provided by this project was nearby to help. As a result Rolando and his children were rescued and also received hot soup from a “Community Kitchen” (supported by another of our GlobalGiving projects)

Rolando had this to say about the help donors like you provided:

“I will pray for IDV donors for their continuing good health. Salamat po! (thank you!)”

We echo Ronaldo’s thanks and hope you’ll consider making a further gift to this project if you can. We know you’ve already given so much, but 100% of your donation (after GlobalGiving’s fees) will go directly to maintaining the rescue boats. So, you really can help ensure that residents like Rolando and his children can benefit when the next flood inevitably strikes.

You can find out more about our plans to close down IDV on our website, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.

In a recent project report we explained how we’re raising funds this Holiday season to help maintain a vital fleet of rescue boats in Banaba, just outside of Manila, after our charity closes. We then shared the story of Felisa to show just how vital these boats really are.

In this report we wanted to highlight the story of another Banaba resident who relies on these boats when disasters strike.

Monica (pictured) is 48 years old and lives in the Banaba Extension Phase 2 area with her elderly husband and teenage son. Her husband is bed-ridden and Monica can’t swim, so the family were in real danger when Tropical Storm Karding (known internationally as Yagi) struck in August 2018. 

Heavy rains caused nearby rivers to overflow and Monica’s home was inundated to the second floor by flood waters as a result.

Happily, the Helen Thompson rescue boat (also pictured) was nearby, and thanks to the boat and its volunteer crew Monica’s family were safely evacuated. Monica had this to say about the help they received:

“I fear the flood because I do not know how to swim. The assistance of the boat was a big help to me and my family. Salamat Po (thank you)”

We echo Monica’s thanks and hope you’ll consider making a further gift to this project if you can. In doing so, you’ll help ensure that residents like Monica can benefit from a rescue boat when the next flood inevitably strikes.

You can find out more about our plans to close down IDV on our website, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.

In our last project report we explained how we’re raising funds this Holiday season to help maintain a vital fleet of rescue boats in Banaba, just outside of Manila, after our charity closes. In this report, to illustrate once again just how important these boats are, we wanted to highlight the story of yet another Banaba resident who relies on these boats.

Felisa (pictured) is 72 years old and lives in the South Libis area of Banaba with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. As well as being elderly, Felisa is also asthmatic and all this means she can’t move quickly.

So, Felisa was in real danger when Tropical Storm Karding (known internationally as Yagi) struck in August 2018. Heavy rains caused the Nangka river to overflow and Felisa’s home was overwhelmed by flood waters as a result.

Thankfully, the Grahame Maher rescue boat (also pictured) was nearby, and thanks to the boat and its brave volunteer crew Felisa was safely transported to a nearby evacuation centre.

Felisa had this to say about the help she received:

“God bless IDV and the donors. My needs are taken-cared of with your assistance. Salamat po!”

We echo Felisa’s thanks and hope you’ll consider making a further gift to this project if you can. In doing so, you’ll help ensure that residents like Felisa can benefit from a rescue boat when the next flood inevitably strikes.

You can find out more about our plans to close down IDV on our website, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.