Thursday, November 28, 2013

ShelterBox Response to Typhoon Haiyan

ShelterBox's Response
On 15 October, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Bohol and Cebu provinces, damaging buildings and infrastructure and claiming multiple lives across the region. ShelterBox responded to the earthquake, sending a ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) to the affected area.

Initial reports of the scale of destruction were delayed after the quake struck Bohol due to communications being down. Now almost a month later it is thought over 34,000 homes have been destroyed. About 286 ShelterBoxes and 250 tents were dispatched to Bohal to provide shelter and protection to the families affected by the earthquake.

Only three and a half weeks later, the Philippines was struck by the largest recorded storm to reach landfall. With winds of 195mph, Super Typhoon Haiyan caused further damage to an already badly affected area.

Having weathered the storm on Bohol island, ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) member Mark Dyer (US) worked with colleagues to help local people and organisations which were only confounded further by the devastating Typhoon. ‘When we knew the typhoon was coming we advised people to lower the tents before the storm. So then went back to help people put these tents back up, so they will at least have places to live for the next few weeks.’

'We Will Start Rebuliding

Mark says 'The typhoon slowed down earthquake relief but after a day, it was back in full swing.'

Lamberto Humanel and his wife had their own home, which was destroyed in the earthquake. Their children are grown up and have their own families. They invited anyone in the family who needed a place to shelter to come and join them. Lamberto, his wife, her two sisters and one of their adult daughters are all living in one tent - three of them are senior citizens. It took them three years to build their home, and it was destroyed in 30 seconds during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake – being impacted further by Typhoon Haiyan.

When asked what Lamberto is going to do about his house, he said 'we will start rebuilding, I'll probably have to sell some of the land that we have to raise enough money to get the building materials, but we will rebuild.'

Lamberto and his family were living among the ruins of their house, but now all five of them are sleeping in a ShelterBox tent. 'We want to give a million thanks to all of ShelterBox for this tent, we are much warmer now at night, and I know because of this we will now have a much longer life.'

'Response'

ShelterBox is responding to the aftermath of the earthquake and the typhoon. Mark Dyer has returned home from the Philippines, and another team have now arrived in the area to set up tents and provide lifesaving aid to more families affected by both disasters.

504 ShelterBox tents have now arrived in Manila, Philippines. Distribution of this aid will begin as soon as it has cleared customs. A further 224 ShelterBoxes and 576 ShelterBox tents are currently en route to Cebu, Philippines with airfreight courtesy of DFID. This shipment is hoped to arrive in the Philippines 13 November. Nine SRT members are carrying out assessments in Cebu, Bohol and Tacloban. Additional team members are also on their way.

An extra 200 ShelterBoxes destined for the Philippines were packed by warehouse volunteers at ShelterBox HQ in Cornwall yesterday. ShelterBox are looking to help up to 4,000 families in the Philippines in the immediate future, with potential for more help if it's needed.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Emergency Typhoon Haiyan Appeal so far.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.

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