Support Relief for Philippines Mudslide Victims

After the relief mission to the victims of the mudslide in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, The IFHM (Interfaith Humanitarian Mission) continued to give other services to the affected communities through joint efforts with other institutions. While the partner institutions provided material support, the IFHM focused on capability-building to the victims as part of their rehabilitation. In this connection, IFHM linked up with the Leyte Center for Development, Inc. (LCDE) in the implementation of some of its soft projects such as trainings. With LCDE it undertook the following: 1. Disaster preparedness training 2. Herbal gardening and traditional medicine preparation training Other trainings were lined up which would be conducted when funds become available. these are, among others: 1. Cooperative Orientation and Formation Seminars 2. Basic Accounting for Non-accountants 3. Child trauma Management Thus, with the arrival of new funding last month, IFHM sent two (2) secretariat members to St. Bernard to prepare the community for the forthcoming trainings. participants were selected jointly by the communities and the IFHM secetariat. these preparatory expenses consisiting of transportation , communication and lodging amounted to PhP5,500. training kits were also prepared and the initial expenses for these totaled PhP7,500. For the first training, sixty (60) persons representing the various communities have been identified. As has been its practice, IFHM will continue to follow up the trainees after the seminars to assist and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge so that they will be able not only to stand on their own but to train others as well. I hope with this short progress report, you would know how the money is being used meant for the people in St. Bernard. Thanks and God bless.