Typhoon Yolanda: A history of resilience

“We didn’t leave the house until we felt the strong wind. When dawn broke, we saw everything. Almost all the houses were gone, without roofs, totally destroyed”. These are the words of Dionesio Nuevo. His testimony reflects the profound impact that Typhoon Haiyan, locally called Yolanda, left on the lives and homes of Filipino families.

2024 marks 11 years since the Philippines witnessed this natural disaster, labelled as the worst in its recent history. On November 8, 2013, Yolanda struck the central part of the country leaving unimaginable destruction in its wake. Approximately 8,000 people lost their lives and more than 853,000 families were displaced.

To this day, the impact of the typhoon continues to leave a mark on the Filipino people; however, they have shown impressive resilience. They have worked to recover and prepare for future disasters, building a safer future and strengthening their emergency response capabilities. A decade later, the Philippines is rebuilding better, greener and stronger than ever.

The Xavier Network has been by their side in this rebuilding and strengthening process through two projects in the municipalities of Culion and Salcedo, in collaboration with our local partners Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) and Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC).

A SAFER FUTURE

Maricris Cabrera sells fish and lumpias (fried rolls) to provide food and education for her daughters. Her family is one of many that lost their homes due to the devastation caused by the typhoon. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council of the Philippines, 1.1 million homes were destroyed.

Today, however, Maricris and her family can enjoy a safe home. Their house was rebuilt thanks to the projects we promoted from Xavier Network in the Philippines. “Now we have our house that is safe from storms. A place we can call our own. What I want for my family, especially for my daughters is to study and graduate. It is really my dream. Before we were worried about them. Now we are here. My family is safe,” explains Maricris.

Through these projects, we have relocated more than 300 families, like Maricris’, whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon or who were living in high-risk areas. In addition, in close collaboration with the communities, we have built safe housing so that families can live in peace and enjoy a safe home, as well as evacuation pavilions in case of future emergencies, thus ensuring the protection and well-being of the community.

Maritess A. Lacaba and her children are another of the families who now enjoy a safe home. In the aftermath of the typhoon, Maritess has started a small business that provides them with an income.

ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOURCES

The typhoon not only caused the destruction of the homes of Filipino families, but also resulted in the loss of their sources of income, due to the widespread devastation that affected sectors such as agriculture, local commerce and, mainly, fishing. Erlinda Boseiho and her husband were engaged in fishing before the disaster to support their family, but the typhoon destroyed mangroves, corrals and coastline. Fishing became insufficient not only to feed their family, but also to provide for the education of their 9 children.

Through the projects we set up, we have encouraged families to create new, more sustainable sources of income. Erlinda and her husband left fishing behind to take up farming, specifically growing bananas and tapioca. This has been a significant change in their lives, as it has allowed them to secure their family’s livelihood in a more secure and sustainable way.

Erlinda and her family can now dream of a better future: “The future I envision for my family is that my sons and daughters can study and that I can support them financially. It is important to me that they finish their studies.”

The projects we have carried out have also included the formation of a local cooperative that manages these livelihood alternatives to fishing. This cooperative has played a crucial role in transforming the lives of families like Erlinda’s, giving them a fresh start and the chance to build a better future.

Awareness and prevention

The typhoon not only brought with it negative impacts, but also triggered a deep reflection among the Philippine population on natural disasters and the importance of prevention. Communities have become highly aware of climate risks and the need to develop environmental protection and care practices in their common spaces, as well as in their own homes.

Through our projects, we have promoted greater awareness and strengthened community preparedness for emergency situations, such as natural disasters. Families now know how to respond effectively in such circumstances. In addition, as an essential part of this preparedness, significant emphasis has been placed on the conservation and restoration of mangroves, which act as a natural barrier against storms and coastal flooding.

“People abuse the environment and because of this, we are at risk every time there is a disaster such as typhoons. Storms are becoming stronger due to the irresponsibility of people who cause climate change” reflects Maricris. Her testimony reflects the Filipino people’s commitment to environmental awareness and natural disaster prevention.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY WORK

Bayanihan in Filipino means collective effort and cooperation to build together as a community. This word perfectly embodies the spirit that has guided the Filipino people during the rebuilding process. The restoration and recovery of the Philippines would not have been possible without the work and unity of the local communities.

Men, women and youth participated in the two projects we carried out in the municipalities of Culion and Salcedo. From the construction of houses to the implementation of mitigation and adaptation practices, these communities were actively involved and led the way in rebuilding their homes and environments. Their commitment demonstrated that when people come together in a collective effort, they can overcome any adversity.

“It’s nice to live in a house that belongs to a community because it feels the love feels the unity of a community. We treat each other like a family, like friends” mentioned Erlinda Boseiho.

Pedro Walpole, Research Director of Environmental Science for Social Change reflects on the importance of a sense of community in projects like the ones we carry out in the Philippines. “If we don’t build community, the houses, in some ways, I’m afraid, are not going to be effective,” he says. “So with this initiative to come together there is hope, there is strength here that is not made of concrete. ”

TEXT: Entreculturas