Lutheran World Relief Partners with Habitat for Humanity Philippines to Provide Shelter Repair Kits to Typhoon-Affected Families
Following Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HfHP) to respond to shelter needs in northern Cebu Province.
The U.N. reports that Typhoon Haiyan damaged more than 1 million houses in the Philippines. Approximately half of those houses are destroyed as a result of the storm. In northern Cebu’s Daanbatayan municipality, the storm affected more than 64,000 houses, destroying more than 40,000 houses and partially damaging approximately 20,000 houses.
To respond to shelter needs in Daanbatyaan, LWR and HfHP distributed shelter repair kits November 23 to 240 families whose houses were damaged by the typhoon. Each kit contained sheets of plywood, lumber, galvanized iron roofing sheets, nails, wire, a hammer and hand saw. In addition to providing materials, HfHP has skilled carpenters on call to provide assistance to those who need help repairing the damage to their houses.
During a recent trip to assess conditions in Daanbatayan, LWR staff spoke with Delia Moreno, whose home was severely damaged by the typhoon. Delia was in her house when Typhoon Haiyan approached. As a coconut tree fell on her house, she fled to a neighbor’s home with her grandchildren.
“We ran for our lives,” Delia said. “I felt very sad when the storm was coming. I prayed to God that I would receive God’s graces.”
Delia and her family survived the typhoon but her house did not. Delia said that she would like to rebuild her house but does not have the money to do so. However, with LWR’s support, Delia received a shelter repair kit on November 23. With the materials in the kit and skilled carpenters available for building support, Delia will be able to repair her home and no longer spend nights sleeping outside or on the floor of her daughter’s home.
To start, LWR plans to distribute nearly 1,500 shelter repair kits to people like Delia whose houses were damaged by Typhoon Haiyan. During the initial distributions, LWR will to focus on needs in Daanbatyan; however, LWR is considering expanding its shelter repair activities to nearby areas, including northern Cebu, Batayan Island and western Leyte Province.
In addition to its work with HfHP, LWR is preparing to begin cash-for-work projects focused on clearing debris and distribution of vouchers to affected families for the purchase of necessary household non-food items, along with solar lamps in areas without electricity. LWR also plans to send four shipping containers of Quilts and Personal Care Kits, Baby Care Kits and School Kits from its U.S. warehouses to the Philippines to reach at least 26,000 households.
The damage to houses in the Philippines and the need for assistance is great. LWR is accepting donations in response to Typhoon Haiyan. Please give online, call 800.597.5972 or mail a check to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Indicate “Philippines Typhoon” on your check. To learn more about donating Quilts and Kits, please visit our website.
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