Project Report
| Nov 18, 2013
Youth in Philippine Typhoon Zone Provide Aid to Survivors
![AAI Relief Distribution in Batad on November 16]()
AAI Relief Distribution in Batad on November 16
Asia America Initiative is currently conducting relief operations in typhoon devastated areas of the central Philippine islands. On November 15 through 17, AAI Catalyst for Peace Youth volunteers provided aid to survivors in Batad, north of Iloilo while the experienced consortium of AAI-IPI Foundation and One World Institute were in in Leyte. These effort are all done with private funding only and conducted by incredibly dedicated volunteers of all ages who come from local communities in the typhoon devastated zone.
The leader of AAI's team of volunteer students and young professionals in Iloiloe is Marlon Jinon. To keep the aid distribution orderly and peacefu for the Sunday November 17 aid distribution activities in Batad town, the Catalyst for Peace Team, assisted by local officials documented a list of names of the household leaders. Each family was to receive sacks with food, clean water and hygiene supplies for families of at least 4 to 5 persons, as well as orphans and elderly persons.
Marlon reported, "We will be distributing relief packs to 150 families or some 1,000 adults and children. What we will be giving is enough for Barangay [Village] Tanao's residents."
Each relief pack contains the following:
3 kilos of rice
4 easy open canned goods (it can be opened by hand)
1 packed nutritional meal (wow ulam is the brand)
1 pack match
1 liter water
1 antibacterial soap
1 alcohol
2 mini packs milk (bear brand) for children
"What survivors need are most nutritious foods enough for them to survive with.
On November 17, returning to Iloilo, after serving at least 1,000 typhoon survivors in Batad, AAI's Marlon Jinon reflects: "The people lost their houses and almost all of their properties. They said that they really needed clothes, kitchen wares for cooking and source of livelihood as their bancas [fishing boats] were all destroyed.
We saw a sign of relief in the faces of the people when they saw
that we were giving away not just food but also clean and decent clothes. The clothes were donated by our AAI-CFPs,
students at Palabrica National High School and the Dingle Government Workers Development Cooperative.
They also provided the truck that we used to transport our relief packs.
The Provincial Government of Iloilo helped us in securing our safety. They served as our convoy and they also
provided additional food packs. The National Confederation of Coooperatives (NatCCO) helped by providing the
food for our volunteers and also provided additional funds for the food items. Our concerted efforts saved a lot of lives
and gave the people of Batad hope to continue on. We thank Global Giving donors for their generous support.
"I believe that our efforts should not be merely one day of relief. As much as possible, we must stay connected to the people and help them to get through this tough time."
![AAI Catalysts for Peace trying their best to serve]()
AAI Catalysts for Peace trying their best to serve
![children who lost their homes in Batad seek food]()
children who lost their homes in Batad seek food
![Elderly typhoon survivors]()
Elderly typhoon survivors
![Tarp announcing AAI relief mission in Batad]()
Tarp announcing AAI relief mission in Batad
![typhoon survivors with AAI family aid packs]()
typhoon survivors with AAI family aid packs
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