November 8 marks one year since the world’s strongest typhoon slammed the Philippines with unimaginable force.
Over the past 12 months, World Vision has assisted one million individuals, exceeding its planned reach of 750,000. Around 473,000 of these people were children.
Response Director Andrew Rosauer and his team will take part in a candlelight memorial in Tacloban tomorrow evening.
“It is important to remember those who lost their lives this time last year, and to honour the survivors’ courage, tenacity and strength. It is also a time to acknowledge the people who are still finding it difficult to adjust to the widespread loss of life, homes, and livelihoods.
“We have had a focus on ‘building back better’, but there are still many challenges ahead as we work with the communities to restore livelihoods and to prepare for disasters yet to come.”
Sustaining long-term income opportunities continues to be the largest problem within Haiyan-affected communities, with so many people losing their usual sources of income, or losing the household breadwinner in the storm. Another is improving resilience for future emergencies.
To date, World Vision has provided almost 2,500 houses for the most vulnerable families – usually child headed households, single parents, the disabled and the elderly. Cash-for-work programs have supported more than 85,000 people and more than 21,000 have benefitted from livelihoods support like skills trainings, business start-up toolkits and community savings groups.
“This year has had so many disasters that required the world’s attention. From the crises in Syria, Gaza, South Sudan, the Ukraine and the Ebola outbreak – it’s fair to say that the typhoon has been sharing the world stage with other pressing issues,” Rosauer said.
After November 8 World Vision moves into the rehabilitation stage, the final phase of emergency response. World Vision recognises the vital part that communities play in both decision-making and physical workmanship when building back so that they are not only empowered, but also have the skills to rebuild if any other future shocks occur.
Media contact:
Rhonda Hirst – +63 916 735 5061 / rhonda_hirst@wvi.org
Chloe Adams – 0427 413 816 / chloe.adams@worldvision.com.au