Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan survivor Fe Potente waters plants in front of her home, built by local workers with funds from the American Red Cross. Elevated from the ground, the house will be les prone to flooding and storm surges. The Red Cross has also installed a new latrine for Fe, so the family doesn’t need to walk to a relative’s house in the middle of the night. In the year since Fe moved into her new home, she has planted a beautiful flower garden and sells vegetables and bananas that grow in her yard. She wants to own a piggery one day and her biggest hope is for her children to finish school.

Artemio Insigne stands in front of a community map – drawn by his neighbors – which indicates local hazards and helps people learn evacuation routes. “Red Cross has helped with disaster preparedness. We are more resilient now. We have more knowledge and preparation, thanks to the Red Cross.” The American Red Cross is building shelters in Artemio’s hillside town, as well as supporting vocational scholarships, livelihoods cash grants, water & sanitation activities, and helping residents prepare for the future.

Marietta Trero, 50, stands outside of her store which she was able to stock with products like coffee, soy sauce, sugar, cooking oil, and milk thanks to a seed grant from the American Red Cross. Marietta’s store is connected to her home, which was heavily damaged by Typhoon Haiyan. The American Red Cross gave Marietta and her family cash, ten corrugated galvanized iron sheets, and technical assistance so they could repair their home in a way that made it more resistant to future storms, flooding, and other natural disasters.

Victoriana stands in front of her daughter’s newly-repaired home on the island of Leyte. After Typhoon Haiyan damaged the house, the Red Cross gave Victoriana’s family a cash grant of approximately $225, plus ten metal roofing sheets to fix their house. The family spent the money on the foundation, cinder blocks and roofing materials – and they were able to repair several rooms, including the kitchen. A year after the repairs, the family has waited out many storms in the newly-repaired house and feel better prepared for future natural disasters.

Susan Odevilas is a mother of five, including a 12-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. She received a grant from Red Cross to replace supplies she uses as a hairdresser that were lost in the storm. Her oldest daughter received a Red Cross scholarship to attend the local school to become a pastry chef. Susan’s home was completely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, but she and her family will be moving into a new, safer house. “Red Cross is a big help to our community. People that lost hope during the storm are getting it back because Red Cross is giving it to them.”

Philippine Red Cross volunteers from the neighborhood of Taguictik in Tacloban gather next to a recently de-clogged canal in their neighborhood. Red Cross volunteers have been working closely with their local neighborhood council on various. This effort following Typhoon Haiyan, including de-clogging blocked ditches. The result has been less flooding, less mosquitoes, and a cleaner environment. They now lead monthly cleanups and played integral role in their community.