Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors

America Initiative and GlobalGiving wish to thank you for your past donations to this ongoing project providing assistance to Typhoon Vinta survivors to overcome severe storm damages that overwhelmed their communities. We have completed the Vinta relief program, thanks to your assistance.  But new typhoons and other natural disasters are keeping us very busy at this time. Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean regions are at the forefront of experiencing the impact of global climate change.   Thanks to our GlobalGiving donors we have been able to facilitate typhoon recovery with immediate aid and longer term rebuilding.

In Western Visayas, where Vinta struck, schools that had been damaged last year, continue to make progress and flourish. To preserve consistency and build confidence in expanding progress already made, AAI has continued to sponsor lunches at school prepared by mothers and grandmothers. We keep students healthy and focused on their studies though nutrition and clean water programs, including hygiene for washing hands. In response to storm damage, such as from the recent Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018, we are providing roof and classroom repair, keeping the community focused on rebuilding better lives. Children have been able return to school after a short time. School closures could last for a long time -- even years -- as families concentrate on their own home repairs and food insecurity after a damaging typhoon.  Our role is to stay long enough to get people on their feet and moving forward.

Your encouragement through doinations of all sizes helps to build the determination in children in affected communities to pursue goals and develop livelihood skills that will carry into their adulthood; even sharing their meager possessions with other communities that are in crisis.

We ask you to please continue supporting this project --  Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors, GG #15262, as well as our new program to provide recovery aid to survivors of Typhoon Mangkhut, GG #35691.

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website

In the first rainy season month of 2018, five tropical storms have already battered the Philippines, causing flood, mudslides and thousand of homeless familes.  Asia America Initiative is one of the few remaining international organizations assisting displaced families and stricken communities in the Western Visayas area.

Thanks to GlobalGiving donors we have been fortunate to continue to assist communties that have been still recovering from the 2013  Super Typhoon Haiyan.  Asia America Initiative with our local partners are conducting long-term emergency relief and providing food and water to thousands of affected families. We also are providing shelter materials, hygiene supplies, medicines and other post-trauma services to a target of 30,000 persons, mostly children and the elderly.  Our main conduit of care and relief are inside the public schools, as non-political community centers. 

"If you want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved,"  says Principal Rowena of Catig-Lacadon Elementary School in Duenas. Catig-Lacadon Elementary was the site of the first AAI feeding program for the school year 2018-2019. "Thanks a bunch to Asia America Intiative for inspiring the parents and local government officials of our school children to assure that no matter how destructive the storm, our children are able to be properly nourished and have basic shelter and hygiene,"  Principal Rowena continues.  "We have recovered with consistent help from AAI and our Global Giving friends."

From the bottom of our hearts we are grateful to GlobalGiving,  and all of our donors.  We are committed to expanding this program throughout the new 2018-19 school year.  Our next step is the World Refugee Day Campaign which includes a 100 percent match of every donation, no matter the size. The campaign is only this Wednesday, June 20, 2018.  For one day only.   Please consider to contribute to AAI's program at this link: 

  https://bit.ly/2sN9ZOs

Asia America Initiative and GlobalGiving wish to thank you for your past donations to this ongoing project providing assistance to Typhoon Vinta survivors to overcome severe storm damages that overwhelmed their communities. 

In December 2017, Typhoon Vinta heavily damaged areas of the Philippines previously destroyed in 2013 by Super Typhoon Yolanda [Haiyan]. Floods, wind damage and mud- and rock-slides have displaced nearly 100,000 people. More than 200 perished. In addition to the Philippine's Central Visayas Region, Mindanao in the southern islands was not spared.  Zamboanga and Sulu Province were heavily damaged by wind and floods. Many houses and schools were destroyed. We continue to assist displaced and severely affected communities with food, clean water and repair of schools. In addition, we partnered with local government and community volunteers to clear blocked drainage systems near the main port in Jolo city. Our goal for 2018 is to further assist 30,000 people, primarily children and the elderly.

Thanks to our GlobalGiving donors, we are able to continue our long term goal of empowering local communities to repair and rebuild.  Our strength is in our multiple partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

This year's GlobalGiving "Little by Little" Campaign will match donations up to $50 at 50%. If you would like to start a new monthly contribution, GlobalGiving will match it 100%! The "Little by Little" Campaign will match donations this week (April 9-13) until funds run out. If you are thinking of donating during this special event, follow our link: 

Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors

Links:

• Asia America Initiative

Christmas week 2017, major typhoon Vinta devastated close to 10 million people in southern Philippines. These areas were already heavily damaged in 2013 by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Asia America Initiative with our local partners are conducting long-term emergency relief and providing food and water to thousands of newely displace families. We also provide shelter materials, hygiene supplies, medicines and other post-trauma services to a target of 30,000 persons, mostly children and the elderly.  "Asia America Initiative is a life saver for many families in our community in Jolo,"  says recent typhoon survivor Rohelyn, mother of a 4 year old son, whose house roof was blown off by 100 mile per hour winds during the early morning hours of December 23 during Typhoon Vinta. 

In Cuartero, Capiz, wind has damaged roofs of schools that were previously repaired after Super Typhoon Haiyan.  "The beauty of AAI is that we can respond rapidly to the needs of people while it can take weeks or months for the government to reach the rural areas," states high school teacher Ramie, who also serves as an emergency relief volunteer for AAI along with many other teachers and students.

"In Lanao del Sur, more than 300,000 recent refugees had their temporary bamboo and plastic tent shelters ripped apart or collapsed by forceful typhoon winds and drenching rains" observes Dr.Yolanda Ortega Stern who is a relief specialist for the southern Philippines. "The unselfish action and willing partnership that AAI extends to many smaller community-based organizations makes the difference in the survival of thousands of people who have no place to run to, especially children and the elderly. Importantly, this brings families and neighbors closer together to assist each other."

On behalf of Asia America Initiative, we sincerely appreciate our donors from the GlobalGiving network who have made our work possible and have enhanced our effectiveness.  In the Philippines, against all odds, we continue to provide assistance in one of the most impacted countries at the epi-center of climate change and social instability. We wish you all a blessed New Year.  With your help, we pledge to continue our efforts in 2018. 

Links:

• Web site of Asia America Initiative

To help a community overcome trauma caused by natural or man-made disasterswe have learned that participating in lively arts is a wonderful way to help bring a community back to life.  In the Philippines,  the children in our assisted public schools have been leading the way.  They are truly champions.

On December 4, 2017, when the 20 dancers and musicians of the Cuartero High School dance team took the floor at the national Department of Education competition in Baguio, they were completing an amazing journey as young performers.  They had written their own songs, choreographed their dances and came from communities where professional music and dance teachers are not available or otherwise affordable.  But here they were in front of a large audience competing against some of the most talented entertainers in Southeast Asia.  Their chief instructor, Teacher Ramie Capuyan recalls, "At that moment time seemed to stand still... all the hard work and fun and the new experience of traveling outside of our home area were just incredible."

Only four years earlier, Cuartero and the larger province of Capiz were struggling to survive. In November 2013, close to 9 million people in the Philippines were devastated by the cataclysmic super typhoon Haiyan [also named Yolanda]. Asia America Initiative with our local partners continue to conduct long-term emergency relief and provide food and water to thousands of families. We are among the last remaining international organizations still working in Typhoon Haiyan damaged communities.  

For the past four years following the typhoon and sea surge/ tsunami, which was consider the largest and most destructive on international record, Asia America Initiative has been helping communities transition to self sufficiency. AAI admired the spunk and volunteerism attitude of the Cuartero National High teaching staff and students. We have assisted with the production of basic healthy vegetables in school-based gardens, foods purchased in bulk from local markets along with hygiene supplies, medicines and other life-saving services. We have far surpassed our initial goal of assisting 5,000 families or 30,000 persons, mostly children. The main reason is because we are good listeners; attuned to the actual needs in their communities. AAI has encouraged community leaders and members to know that they are retaking control of their own lives.  The recovery of schools has been our greatest joy. 

In addition to the high school musicians and dancers in Cuartero, the Central Elementary School's folk dance team and the high energy P-Popp dancers have inspired parents and teachers alike.  Both teams finished Number One in their Province dressed in costumes designed by teachers and hand-made by their Mothers.

This has been a blessed experienced with our entire school community feeling pride and empowerment,"  says Principal Luz Mayo Roxas.  "The children express our happiness that we have been recovering from the Super Typhoon with teamwork and exuberant effort.  We are so grateful for Asia America Initiative for trusting us and for staying with us as a symbol that we are not forgotten.  And to the donors who have enabled us to purchase the materials we have used to move our lives forward.  May God bless you all."

Links:

• Asia America Initiative web site