With financial help from Humanity & Inclusion, more than 1,500 people helped clear roads blocked by debris from Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines.

Following the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the northern Philippines on Sept. 14, HI traveled to the municipalities of Kalinga and Ifuago to identify the needs of disaster-affected people affected.

The typhoon destroyed or damaged more than one million acres of crops one month before harvest. In Pinukpuk, 90% of maize plantations and 60% of rice plantations were destroyed. The disaster hit farmers the hardest.

HI supplied relief in the municipality of Pinukpuk (Kalinga province), one of the worst affected areas. We distributed 80 clearance kits, consisting of wheelbarrows, shovels, knives, hammers, gloves, etc. to families in 23 villages. These kits were shared with villagers who will use them to clear roads and public areas. They benefited more than 40,000 people.

More than 1,500 workers were hired to support these clearance tasks (clearing roads, repairing pipes, etc.). These activities were carried out in close collaboration with local government units. "This project mobilizes a traumatized community around a collective project,” explains Reiza Dejito, Director of HI in the Philippines.

“It’s really positive. It strengthens ties and helps them overcome the shock of the disaster. All workers received a small sum of cash from HI in return, which they could use to buy food at the market. These actions are beneficial for everyone.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the Philippines on September 14, affected more than one million people. As part of our relief effort, Humanity & Inclusion is providing clearance kits to those affected and helping clear debris from roads.

HI emergency experts have assessed the needs of disaster victims in Kalinga and Ifuago provinces, in the Cordillera region.

"More than one million acres of farmland were destroyed or damaged in the Philippines,” explains Reiza Dejito, Director of HI in the Philippines. “In Pinukpuk, Cordillera, 90% of maize plantations and 60% of rice plantations were flattened. The most vulnerable individuals are people living in remote areas, who can no longer travel by road due to landslides, and farmers, people with disabilities, children and older people.

“Because rice and maize crops were destroyed on a massive scale, one of our priorities is to help farmers access new sources of income. Higher food prices make it vital to ensure affected people can access food. Another priority is to help communities quickly clear blocked roads and public areas.” 

Clearance kit distribution and financial support

HI’s team distributed clearance kits containing a wheelbarrow, shovel, knife, hammer, gloves, etc., to 80 families in Pinukpuk municipality. These kits will be used to clear roads and public areas, and they will be shared with everyone in the district. More than 400 workers will be hired to help support this work.

“We met with the head of the municipality who said he was very happy with this project, because he wants the roads cleared as soon as possible,” Reiza adds. “It’s also good for a community to work together on a joint project. This type of activity builds bridges and helps people overcome the trauma of the disaster. The workers will be able to buy food at the market with the money they earn, for example. It’s a project that makes a big difference to everyone.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the Philippines on Sept. 14., has killed 60 people and affected nearly one million others. Emergency specialists with Humanity & Inclusion are meeting with the victims of the disaster to identify their needs.

Florabel, 37, mother of two

"With my husband and two children, we heard that Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) was going to be very violent. The authorities advised us to leave our house and take refuge in one of the evacuation centers in the region. But because we weren't sure what to expect, we decided to stay home and barricade our house.

“When the typhoon hit, we all panicked. Our children were terrified. The wind was blowing very hard and the rain was pouring into the house. The next day, we saw the damage: half of our rice and maize crops had been destroyed just a month before harvest. We live off the land and don’t have much income. My husband borrowed money to buy fertilizer and seeds, so we have a loan to repay. We're scared now. How are we going to manage?"

Florabel and her family aren’t the only ones facing hardship in the province of Kalinga, where many people have lost their crops–their main source of income.

Today, HI’s emergency specialists travel to the Cordillera region with other humanitarian organizations to meet with victims, like Florabel, and help identify their needs. From there, they will prepare a possible emergency response.

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the northern Philippines on September 14, has killed more than 60 people and affected nearly one million others[1]. Some 50 people are still missing. Present in the Philippines since 1985, HI has dispatched emergency experts to the northern Cordillera region to assess the needs of typhoon victims.

"Today we visited the district of Liwan West and Pinukpuk,” explains Pierre-Louis Bercion, HI’s basic needs coordinator in Philippines. “There are a lot of uprooted trees and damaged houses, but the farms have taken the biggest hit: a lot of rice and maize plantations have been destroyed, just a month before harvest time. For people in rural areas, who live mainly off the land, it’s a disaster.”

Florabel, 37, a mother of two, lives in Liwan. “We mostly live off our land,” she says. “The day after the typhoon hit, nearly half of our crops were destroyed. We’re really worried.”

HI will continue its assessment mission, identifying other families affected by the typhoon, and preparing for a possible emergency response, in conjunction with local partners.

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

[1]https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20180916%20Typhoon%20Mangkhut%20Update%20no%205%20FINAL.pdf

HI emergency workers have arrived in the northern Philippines to identify the needs of the victims of Typhoon Mangkhut and prepare our emergency response.

Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall in the Philippines on Sept. 14., has killed nearly 50 people and affected more than 4 million others. Rescue workers arrived in the north of the country, but roads blocked by landslides and floods have complicated their search for victims. Many lightly-built homes lost their roofs, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced to evacuation centers.

“Typhoon Mangkhut caused major floods and landslides,” Reiza Dejito, director of HI in the Philippines says. “People in rural areas are also very concerned about their rice and maize crops—their main sources of income—which have been badly damaged.

"HI emergency workers arrived in the north of the country on Monday to assess the needs of victims, particularly in terms of protection (shelter, etc.). We will then launch an emergency response in conjunction with our local partners. We also plan to distribute non-food kits to at least 2,000 households.”

Humanity & Inclusion in the Philippines

Present in the Philippines for more than 30 years, HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

Humanity & Inclusion’s team is preparing to launch a potential emergency response following Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which struck the Philippines this weekend. HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the archipelago and launched a large-scale response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Three victims of Typhoon Haiyan recall how they coped with the tragedy.

Shirley, a mother of six

“We went to our neighbors’ house, because it’s built with concrete. That’s what we’ve always done when typhoons come. My sister carried me there because I am a polio survivor, and we waited for it to pass. But this time the wind was so strong that it barely resisted. We all stayed under a wooden table, holding on to it so that it didn’t fly away with everything else. The roof was torn away, parts of the walls collapsed; it was so scary.

“When it stopped, we saw that nothing was left around us, just debris of houses and fallen trees. Our house is completely destroyed, our crops too. My family grows cassava and bananas, and it is all gone. We will try to rebuild, but we have no money and we won’t be able to harvest anything for a year.” (Shirley lives in Giporlos in Eastern Samar)

Domingo, a former taxi driver

“Our house was completely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. When I was cleaning up the debris, I hurt my leg. I didn’t get it treated immediately and ended up not being able to walk. I’d been vaccinated for tetanus, but it wasn't enough. And it had to be amputated at the knee. It was a disaster. Fortunately, I came across HI’s teams, who gave me crutches and arranged for me to attend rehabilitation sessions.” (Domingo lives in Tacloban)

Oscar, the head of the family

"It was a total disaster. Our house was destroyed by coconut trees. It killed all of my animals—my only source of income. I lost my leg a few years ago due to Buerger's disease. After the typhoon, it was hard to walk up the slope. HI gave me some new crutches and arranged for me to have rehabilitation care. I was also given some pigs to breed so I could earn my living that way.” (Oscar lives in Barangay of San Diego)

Humanuty & Inclusion’s teams are preparing to set out for the northern Philippines, where they plan to assist people affected by Mangkhut. The super typhoon, which made landfall on Sept. 14, has already claimed its first victims.

Preparing to respond

HI’s teams have worked in the Philippines for more than 30 years and are preparing to respond to the needs of affected people in the event of an emergency.

"Following a typhoon, there is always a risk of floods and landslides," Reiza adds. "They can kill and injure lots of people, and cut them off from the rest of the world.

"Our emergency coordinator assesses the situation every six hours and informs the teams. In the event of a disaster or serious damage, HI could make assessments to identify the worst-hit areas and assist affected populations by distributing kits of essential items, such as blankets, plastic sheets and cooking utensils, and provide the injured with rehabilitation care, psychological support, and other forms of assistance."

HI regularly works with people affected by natural disasters in the Philippines, including by enhancing the disaster preparedness and resilience of communities. Among other activities, we launched a large-scale response following the passage of Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people and claimed more than 6,000 lives. Learn more about our work in the Philippines.

This story was originally featured in the Nov 2017 edition of The Next Step.

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