Philippines: One Year On After Typhoon Yolanda - Assisting Persons with Disabilities

On November 8th, 2013, a super typhoon (in Filipino, Typhoon Yolanda), the 30th named storm of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, made landfall in the central region of the Philippines. Immediately after the typhoon struck, AAR Japan sent support by distributing relief goods and repairing homes in the most devastated areas of Northern Cebu, and in Tacloban City and Palo Town on the island of Leyte. While carrying out our emergency relief activities, we gave particular attention to assisting persons with disabilities (PWDs) - in which we have accumulated extensive experience in other countries. AAR continued providing aid until the end of October, 2014.

Pursuing the kind of aid only AAR could give

After the typhoon struck, there was no survey carried out to confirm the safety or conditions of PWDs in the above target areas. At that point, AAR stepped in, going door-to-door and documenting where PWDs lived and what kind of disabilities they had to ensure that nobody was left out from receiving emergency relief. In total, we collected information from 5,687 PWDs, and submitted the compiled data to local government units. In addition, AAR provided food and other relief goods to households with PWDs. During the goods distribution and door-to-door survey, we discovered that many PWDs in the target areas had lost their wheelchairs - their only means of transportation - due to the typhoon and tsunami. Moreover, governmental support for PWDs is still insufficient in the Philippines, and discrimination is a very real issue. As a result, PWDs are more likely to seclude themselves in their homes.

Providing tailored “legs”

In response to the plight that PWDs faced in the Philippines after the typhoon, AAR provided 40 wheelchairs and 27 walkers to PWDs with mobility difficulties in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte. To the PWDs, these wheelchairs and walkers are their “legs”. Therefore, it was essential to ensure that the type and size fitted each individual. Together with a Filipino wheelchair specialist organization, AAR had a “measuring session” to measure the length of each individual’s legs and assess their balance and posture. A “fitting session” followed, in which we adjusted the wheelchairs and had PWDs practice using them. Once we ensured the adjustments and correct usage, the wheelchairs were distributed. Afterwards, AAR continued to provide comprehensive support by conducting “follow-ups” to check if any of PWDs were having difficulties using their wheelchairs.

At the “measuring session”. In order to provide wheelchairs that fit each individual perfectly, we measured the legs of the PWDs one by one. (May 24th, 2014, Palo)

Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines: Cooperating in Building a Disaster-Resistant Community

The Province of Leyte, in the Philippines, was stricken by the typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda, and typhoon No.30 of 2013 in Japanese numbering) in November, 2013, and rehabilitation of the affected areas is under way. AAR Japan is continuing its support to the devastated areas for the purpose of not only recovering to the pre-disaster conditions, but also building communities that are resistant to future typhoons and other disasters. In August, 2014, we organized training workshop on housing construction and distributed housing repair materials in affected areas.  AAR Japan’s local staff member Ryan Labicane reports.

Organizing workshops to build disaster-resistant houses

"Build back better" workshop at New Kawayan, Tacloban City (August 6th, 2014)

Typhoon Hitting the Philippines: Building Disaster-Resistant Housing on Your Own

The typhoon Yolanda (typhoon No.30 of 2013 in Japanese numbering) struck the Philippines on November 11, 2013.  AAR Japan dispatched an emergency support team to the devastated area and has since been engaged in supporting activities. 

Distributing house repair materials to 2,224 households 

In the Philippines, 1.14 million houses were either completely or partially destroyed by the typhoon Yolanda.  Victims were covering blown off roofs with plastic sheets or erecting tents to take shelter near their destroyed homes, and forced to live difficult lives.  Since December, 2013, AAR Japan prepared sets of repair materials for housing such as tin plates and nails, and distributed them to suffering families – especially those having persons with disabilities – amounting to a total of 2,224 households (approximately 11,000 people).

“Thanks a lot to the AAR support.  We shall share the learned techniques with the local people,” say the carpenters who participated in the training course for constructing disaster-resistant houses, standing side-by-side with Mr. Yuta Funakoshi of AAR (right). (April 30, 2014)

The Philippines: Helping People Rebuild Their Homes

The devastating typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8th, 2013, affecting more than 16 million victims.  Furthermore, over 1.14 million houses were destroyed or damaged. AAR Japan has been conducting research and providing relief supplies to support these victims, with a focus on providing aid to people with disabilities, who may otherwise be unable to access vital aid. Juri HIROYA (AAR Tokyo office) reports from the severely damaged Tacloban, Leyte Island.

Waste and Debris Scattered Throughout the Town

Tents in the coastal area. Most houses were swept away by the typhoon. (February 7th, 2014.)

In early February I arrived at the airport in Tacloban. The destruction caused by the typhoon is immediately visible. The roof of the terminal still requires repair and the luggage conveyers remain broken, forcing airport staff to screen luggage manually. Despite this difficult circumstance, the airport was quick to reopen to enable vital relief supplies to arrive in the wake of the disaster.
Little improvement has been achieved since my last visit in December, with trees and debris scattered throughout Tacloban. Despite the Philippine Government's attempt to install temporary housing, many people are forced to live in tents or houses which have been patched up with scrap material and plastic sheets.

Emergency Assistance following Typhoon in the Philippines: Regaining workplace for persons with disabilities

On November 8th, 2013, the Philippines was struck by the fierce Typhoon Haiyan (locally know as Yolanda). 
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) has deployed its staff members to the affected site since November 14th and has been carrying out humanitarian aid activities such as food distribution and provision of building materials to rebuild houses. As of this date, 2 staff members are based in Cebu City, Cebu Province and are continuously assisting on reconstruction.

Workshop for persons with disabilities submerged under water

Tacloban People with Disabilities Cooperative (TAPDICO), located in Tacloban City, northeast of Leyte Island, is one of the facilities that suffered heavy damage following Typhoon Haiyan. The Cooperative, whose mission is to promote the self-reliance of persons with disabilities, owns a small furniture workshop on the hillside of Tacloban and was manufactures furniture such as desks and chairs for elementary schools. Out of 35 employees, approximately 80% are persons with disabilities.
On the day of the typhoon, vast amounts of rain water flooded in from the upper side of the mountain and the workshop was submerged. Machinery used for manufacturing furniture was damaged and most of the materials became unusable.

Iron pipes for furniture material (pictured right rear) had been rendered unusable from rust. Ms. Yemarin, the Representative of the Cooperative meets with (pictured right) Mr. Noriyasu OKAYAMA of AAR (pictured left) (December 22nd, 2013)

At the workshop, parts of roof had been blown away and many of the machines had become unusable after being submerged. Ms. Jyuli HIROYA of AAR inspecting the damage (December 22nd, 2013)

“Thank you. Now we can reopen the workshop.”

AAR has assisted on rebuilding the workshop. On December 29th, 2013, we delivered four machines that are indispensable to the manufacturing of desks and chairs (Compressor (compress the air to be utilized as power source for the tools), welding machine, motor, and electrical saw), as well as raw materials such as lumber to be used in manufacturing ordered items for the time being. The representative, Ms. Yemarin, says she had received offers after the typhoon to go work in Manila, thus closing the workshop, but had been searching for a means to reopen the workshop and continue to work with the facility. She had told us “(I am) truly thankful to all your support.”



With new machinery delivered, the workshop will once again come to life. Noriyasu OKAYAMA pictured left. In the center of the photo, Ms. Yemarin in orange shirt. The two people to the right are staff members of the Cooperative. Machinery from the left: compressor, motor, cutter, welding machine (December 29th, 2013)

The work has begun with the supplied machinery. Workshop staff cutting iron pipe using the cutter (January 14th, 2014)

The workshop makes schools chairs such as these shown in the photo. Welding machine supplied by AAR Japan, pictured center back. (January 14th, 2014).

AAR will continue to support and work in Leyte Island and the northern parts of Cebu Island with a focus on persons with disabilities in activities such as the provision of reconstruction materials.

【Reporter】Profile as of the date of article publication

Jyuli HIROYA, Tokyo Office
Worked as an Intern in Kenya with an NGO after graduating from university. Joined AAR Japan in January 2009, after working in the private sector. Worked as part of a team in Emergency Assistance for Typhoon in the Philippines in September, 2009. Was stationed in Southern Sudan from June 2012 to September 2013. Currently in Tokyo headquarter and is responsible for operations in the Philippines and Kenya. (Born in Kanagawa Province)



Emergency Assistance to the Philippine Typhoon: Providing Assistance to Rebuild Damaged Houses

 

We have distributed galvanized iron sheets, plywood, and carpentry tools to families with elderly persons and/or persons with disabilities.

Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) that struck the Philippines on November 8th, 2013, has caused tremendous damage. According to the Philippine government as of December 16th the death toll rose to 6,069, and 1,779 are still missing. More than 1.14 million houses were damaged
AAR dispatched two staff members to the affected area on November 14th, and has implemented emergency assistance. On December 14th and 15th, we distributed galvanized iron sheets and tools for repairing their houses to 57 families with elderly persons or persons with disabilities in San Remigio, in the northern part of Cebu. And now they are going to rebuild their houses with the help of their family members and neighbors.

Norihiro FUJIMOTO of AAR (right), hands over plywood (San Regimio, Cebu, December 14th, 2013)

Distributed materials (per family):
6 galvanized iron sheets, 6 pieces of plywood, 1 1/2 kilograms nails, 1 hammer, 1 saw.

The woman (in the center) has received the materials for repairing her house. The persons in black T-shirts are staff members of a cooperating organization, GVSP (December 14th, 2013)

A set of relief materials distributed this time. Plywood for walls, galvanized iron sheets for roofs, nails, and carpentry tools (December 14th, 2013)

Carrying plywood and galvanized iron sheets, stepping over the fallen utility pole. (December 14th, 2013)

“My house full of memories had been blown away”

Rolando ALMENDRAS (48-years-old), living in San Remigio, has been suffering from a disability in his legs due to polio since he was two-years-old. His house was partially destroyed by the typhoon. His wheelchair is so heavy that he can’t wheel it without his brother’s help.
When typhoon No.30 hit the area, Rolando was evacuated to a day care facility in his village. He said that after the typhoon had gone, his house full of memories had been blown away. He was in deep sorrow and felt unfocused anger. While his brother was repairing his house so that he could manage to live in it, Rolando stayed at the day care facility for two weeks.

When Rolando received relief materials from AAR, he firmly grasped my hand and said, “ We have received food supplies so far but this is the first time to receive materials such as galvanized iron sheets. Thanks for these materials, my house will not be soaked by the rain any more. Thank you very much indeed.”

Rolando (left) firmly grasped my hand and showed his gratefulness. His present residence stands just by stretching a plastic sheet over bamboo poles. Norihiro FUJIMOTO of AAR (right). (December 14th, 2013)

“Now I can make the first step forward.”

Mariella QUINAPONDA (45-years-old), living in Luyan district in San Regimio, had lived in a plain wooden house with her 15-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son, who has congenital disabilities in his eyes and legs. While the typhoon was in the district, she was evacuated to her sister’s house nearby. When the storm had weakened, she went outside and found that her house had been completely destroyed. She said that she had been in deep grief and at a loss regarding what to do next for a long time.
Now she is thinking of trying to rebuild her house with her children. She said, looking straight in my eyes, “Materials such as galvanized iron sheets and plywood are very useful to rebuild my house. Now I can make the first step forward. Thank you so much.”

Mariella and her children tell Norihiro FUJIMOTO of AAR (left) what happened to them at the time of the typhoon. She tells him that her house was standing left behind of the picture, but there isn’t a trace of it. (December 14th, 2013)

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Maria PRECIOSA (50 years old, female) is visually impaired. She has lost her house by the typhoon and now she lives in a very small hut. Her sister is going to rebuild her house with the materials distributed by AAR. (December 14th, 2013)

[Reported by]
Norihiro FUJIMOTO, AAR Tokyo Headquarters Office.
Since November 2011, he has taken charge of projects in South Sudan and Tohoku at AAR Tokyo office. After three and a half years working in a private company, he had studied in New Zealand for six months. He worked for a human resources consulting firm afterwards, and joined AAR, hoping to contribute to people through work. He was involved in reconstruction assistance for the earthquake in Turkey (2012).

11.3 Million People Affected: AAR Japan Responds to Typhoon in the Philippines

Please support our cause to help those affected in Philippines

In response to Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) that struck the Philippines on November 8^th, 2013, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) will deploy its staff members from Japan to carry out emergency assistance activities.

The typhoon, which caused massive flooding and landslides, has affected an estimated 11.3 million people all across the island nation, especially in areas around Leyte Island. It has been reported that as many as 10,000 people may have died in Tacloblan City alone, and more than 670,000 people have been forced to evacuate. These numbers are expected to increase through the subsequent surveys. Assistance is urgently needed including provision of water, food, medication, sanitary materials alternative shelters, and removal of debris (*source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: UNOCHA).