Super Typhoon Haiyan

See below an update from Ron Noseworthy who is in the field in the Philippines followed by some recent photos. 

The damage & destruction caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is enormous & wide spread.  Our ShelterBox Response Team has been concentrating our initial response on the remote islands of the Bantayan archipelago which are located north of the island of Cebu.  We are working in this area because it has not received much aid as a result of its' remoteness.  These islands were in the direct path of the typhoon and sustained massive damage, with 70 to 80% of the homes destroyed or badly damaged in many of the towns.  

Supplying our aid in this area has been challenging logistically.  We are dealing with limited transportation, restricted communications and destroyed infrastructure.  Three weeks after the typhoon there is still no power on the islands and it will likely be a very long time before it is restored.  Reconstruction has been slow, compounded by severe poverty in many parts of the islands.  We travel to the smaller outer islands, carrying our tents and supplies in small, local fishing boats with limited capacity. 

In spite of these challenges, we have been able to deliver our aid to many, many grateful families.  We are working with local disaster relief organizations and have received great help from the young recruits of the Philippine Marine Reserve Corp as well as from many local volunteers.  

With The Philippines close to the equator, the temperature and humidity levels are very high and the sun is punishing.  However, these are relatively minor inconveniences to us compared with the suffering of the Philippine people.  They are very resilient and, in spite of the enormous challenges that they face, they remain positive and upbeat; they are a pleasure to work with.

We supplied a tent to a very elderly couple with several grandchildren in their care.  We set up the tent in a field near their destroyed home and when I returned to check on them an hour later, it was heartwarming to see the little old lady crouched down and busily trimming the high grass and bushes around the tent with only a knife.  It was obvious that our tent was not only giving them essential shelter, but also  providing  them with the hope and dignity to carry on. 

The need is enormous and as long as our generous supporters continue to donate to our important mission, ShelterBox will be here to help many more thousands of desperate families in the Philippines.

Ron Noseworthy
ShelterBox Response Team Member
Past President Rotary Club of Kenora
Chair, ShelterBox Canada