Build Rescue Boats in Flood Prone Communities

Thank you so much for helping to build rescue boats in flood prone communities. We’ve said again and again that these boats are proven life-savers, and we’ve recently been able to gather photos and stories to help show you how.

The first (above) is of 73 year old Yolanda. Yolanda’s husband sadly died eight years ago and she lives with her two grandchildren in the Baybay Ilog 2 area of Banaba. Life has been tough for Yolanda since her husband’s death and she lives in a poorly constructed house just 10m (30ft) from the banks of the Nangka river. Her home is often flooded during heavy rains and typhoons.

Yolanda’s age means she can’t move quickly, and she was in real danger of being trapped by the floods caused by typhoon Ulysses in late 2020. Thankfully, one of our flood rescue boats was nearby and able to save Yolanda’s family and their neighbours.

Ka Noli, President of our local partner - Buklod Tao, recently interviewed Yolanda and here’s what she had to say:

“The IDV-funded boats are a big help to us and to my neighbors. Many of us would have drowned if there were not boats. Thank you to the donors for protecting us”.

The second face (below) is of 48 year old Erna. Erna lives with her husband and six children in a poorly constructed house. Their family suffers from intergenerational unemployment and poverty and, like many of their neighbours, they’re incredibly vulnerable to disasters.

So, they were also badly affected by typhoon Ulysses. Erna’s husband and son both lost what little work they had, and the family became completely reliant on relief distribution.

Thankfully their lives were protected by the Helen Thompson rescue boat. So, while things have been tough, they all lived to fight another day.

Erna had this to day: “I sincerely thank IDV and its donors for the assistance!”.

We echo Yolanda’s and Erna’s thanks. We’re currently fundraising here on GlobalGiving to provide our next flood rescue boat. If you’d be interested in sponsoring a boat and choosing its colour and logo, please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I’d be delighted to hear from you as always.