Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors

As a result of tragedy caused by Super Typhoon in 2013, during the past five years we have learned much about how community can not only survive but realize confidence for success on their own initiatives. We want to share with you a success story about the students of rural Catig Lacadon ES in the Visayas region of the Philippines, which had been devastated by 200 mph typhoon winds. Almost all children who attend this school are children of seasonal agriculture workers who seldom own the mountainous land they labor.  AAI continues to support Catig Lacadon and other schools who we met when they were in shock and uncertain of their future. Today, students of Principal Rowena are achieving numerous district and regional honors in academics, journalism and the arts. 

When a community is able to be stabilized after a natural or man-made crisis, their ability to get back on their feet via neighbors helping each other, greatly improves. "By bringing the community together through the schools doing repair and rebuilding classrooms, students, teachers and their families begin to heal and reenergize," Principal Rowena reflects. "By providing daily meals at school cooked by Moms, when food and water are limited and expensive, the children begin to feel stronger and become healthier. They can concentrate on their studies and begin to get back to normal."  AAI in Virginia and our local staff are with them on a daily basis. We want them to know they are not alone in this world trying to recover from such devastation.  Thanks to our Global Giving donors, we are able to be there.

The Philippines is continuously battered by tropical storms. In September 2018, major typhoon Mangkhut delivered destruction to the northern Philippines causing 105,000 homeless. These areas were heavily damaged in 2013 by Super Typhoon Haiyan and in 2017 Typhoon Vinta. Asia America Initiative with our local partners conduct long-term emergency relief and provide food and water to thousands of affected families. We provide medical and food support to disaster survivors, especially in remote villages that are difficult to reach. Today we sustain assistance to thousands of families, especially children, in desperate need. We extend a lifeline through partnerships with courageous volunteers and professionals. 

Our long term goal is self-sufficiency of storm survivors across the region.  The immediate impact is to keep people alive, healthy and in a positive frame of mind to be confident and enthusiastic about building a better future. The long term effect is for all involved to have a role in addressing the medical and social systems of impacted communities. AAI's strength is in partnerships with local, national and international donors and experts who show us how to help ourselves."

We thank you for your continued support. 

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website