Amid the carnage and debris left behind by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), more than 30 members of CFSI’s Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) are hard at work providing humanitarian relief for devastated communities in Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.
In conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, UNHCR, the World Food Programme and UNICEF, CFSI is helping to provide for the immediate physical and psychological needs of affected populations in the aftermath of one of the world’s most powerful typhoons, which struck the Visayas region of the Philippines on November 8, directly affecting more than 14 million people and leaving more than 4 million homeless.
A CFSI team distributes much-needed blankets to typhoon survivors
CFSI has established a permanent presence in Tacloban, (serving the city itself and surrounding communities), Ormoc (serving the southern Leyte region), and Guiuan (serving the eastern Samar region). CFSI has thus far distributed family tents provided by UNHCR, 6,095 plastic sheets, 16,132 blankets, and 6,478 jerry cans in five municipalities and 22 barangays.
In addition, CFSI has set up four Child-Friendly Spaces at St Mary’s Academy in Guiuan which are at present serving more than 250 children from Barangays 6 and 7, with toys and learning kits provided by UNICEF.
CFSI has also held a psychosocial and first aid debriefing session for 40 mothers on nearby Victory Island, and conducted needs assessments in Guiporlos and Victory Island.
A CFSI team assesses local needs