By Fae Cheska Marie Esperas
More than two months after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines, survivors of what some have called the “storm of the century”’ are slowly rebuilding their lives and their homes with help from CFSI.
To date, CFSI in conjunction with UNHCR has distributed more than 5,163 family tents, 1,692 plastic rolls, and 40,061 plastic sheets to about 5,500 families in Samar, Leyte, and parts of Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. About 11,125 solar lanterns, 24,259 jerry cans, 8,955 kitchen sets and 72,577 blankets have also been provided to these communities.
For the typhoon survivors, it is a spark of hope that is helping them move forward in the aftermath of such immense tragedy.
Rosemarie Carnecer
“We’re still living in a tent,” said Rosemarie Carnecer, 34, of Barangay 89 in Tacloban City, which was almost completely flattened by the typhoon and the storm surge it generated on November 8 last year. “But we’re doing somewhat better now, unlike the past weeks. The streets are cleaner, the debris is being cleared and my children are back at school.”
[pullquote]For the typhoon survivors, it is a spark of hope that is helping them move forward in the aftermath of such immense tragedy[/pullquote]Ms Carnecer, a former used-clothes vendor, has opened a small store in a street not far from her tent, selling biscuits, bottled beverages and cigarettes. “We need to continue living,” she said. The typhoon has also brought her family closer together. “It made me become close to my family, especially my daughters. They are the only treasure my husband and I have.”
Seventy-five-year-old Encarnacion Tapation, also from Barangay 89, is determined to push ahead despite losing her house and small orchard. A grandmother of two boys, she said the past two months had been a struggle; with her livelihood gone, she was forced to rely on relief goods to keep her family alive.
Encarnacion Tapation
“It’s been very, very hard,” she said. “But I’m happy to have survived. Who would take care of my grandchildren had I died? Their parents are working in Manila and I’ve been looking after them since they were born.”
As she looked out over the sea that fronts her tent, she said she still felt fearful. “Whenever the winds blow our tent at night, I become restless. I wouldn’t know what to do if another storm washed us away. But … even if we’re in this state, I know something good will happen.”
Ms Carnecer echoed the sentiment: “Everything will go back to normal; sooner or later, it will.”
If you would like to help CFSI rebuild lives, please see the donation details at https://cfsi.ph/who-we-are/donation/