2015
18-MONTH REPORT ON HAIYAN RESPONSE
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
“RISE UP for
Abundant
Life!”
Need for preparedness We are pleased to share with you a summary of our 18-month engagement with the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in certain communities in Iloilo, Leyte and Samar provinces. The NCCP-ACT Alliance's engagement in certain areas in the three provinces is a great opportunity for thanksgiving. First, we thank God for the local and international partners of NCCP-ACT Alliance who made it possible to extend humanitarian work way beyond the one year schedule. We thank the many in our churches, who continue to work in these areas tirelessly, so that the people will be in a more secure state than they were before. Second, we thank God for this opportunity to serve. While indeed, we are edified by what has been achieved so far, we are yet disturbed by the fact that the needs are still great. We can only render service to a few of the most vulnerable amongst the vulnerable. It is therefore a daunting task. Like the apostles we ask “how far will the five barley loaves and two fish go among so many?” (John 6:9) Yet, it is written that the limited supply fed five thousand people. Thus, we do not despair because God's providence can be seen in the many who shared and continue to share, leading us to do “more than we can ask or imagine.” Third, we thank God for the survivors. Their sheer tenacity is borne out not only by their will to survive, but also by their hope and faith that God provides in many and various ways. They have affirmed that service also means advocating for the rights of the needy and vulnerable. They have made us appreciate human dignity in more profound ways. Is it any wonder then that we at NCCP can sing “Buhay na Kasiya-Siya” (Abundant Life) with gusto and fervor? Unfortunately, we have to express utter disappointment at the way the Philippine
government has handled its humanitarian work to the survivors of Haiyan or the smaller calamities before and after Haiyan. Its dismal performance is not only irresponsible but insensitive to the plight of the survivors. The report of the Commission on Audit cited funds for humanitarian response either unspent or unliquidated. The media has often exposed rotting goods, or donated goods altered while in warehouses or in transit. The Government response has been nothing short of disastrous to say the least. Finally, by God's mercy we have been spared of any typhoon of Haiyan's magnitude during the year. We continue to pray hard that there will be no more of such catastrophic scale in the future. One of the most profound lessons learned is the need for preparedness in order to reduce risks and be more effective in immediate responses. This is true for communities as well as for the NCCP churches. The direction then is to set up the proper disaster response mechanism such as the one we have in place currently, fully aware that the Philippines is among those most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change.
Rev. Rex R. B. Reyes, Jr. General Secretary, NCCP
Shelter: Safe Home for Survivors Dina and Casiano Antone's house will be ready in four days. “We are so happy! This is a complete, nice house. First I want to say thank you to the Lord for giving the house, then to NCCP,” Dina Antone exclaims. The Antone's house in barangay Paon in Estancia, Iloilo, was totally destroyed by typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The family of five have been living in a shelter they build from the debris. “We will finally be able to sleep well in the new, safe house.” The sea is only about 30 meters from Antone's small yard and several boats are visible on the shore. There is a big mango tree in the middle of the yard. Only this one of their three trees survived Haiyan. “I used to be able to give mangoes to other people, not sell but give,” Dina says. Difficult land acquisition process Where survivors have not owned the land they lived on, the shelter response has been challenging with difficulty in obtaining land titles. Bureaucratic obstacles have hampered the acquisition of land which affected the start
of the construction. In Tacloban Leyte for example, after securing safe relocation sites for Haiyan survivors and signing a Memorandum of Agreement, the NCCP Tacloban field office spent almost a year in order to acquire the land – coordinating in turns with the municipal and provincial government, land administrators, land owners and Regional and National Offices of the National Housing Authority (NHA). After the deed of sale of the land in Barangay Salvacion, one of the relocation sites, was finally obtained, the municipal office told a topographic survey was still needed for the exact marking of the land. “We went to the regional office of the NHA to ask for assistance in the topographic survey, but the regional office said that they will ask for clearance from the national office about the said activity. We waited for the said clearance but it took too long, so we decided to ask for another option and seek the permission of the NHA regional office that we will be the one to make the survey,“ NCCP Emergency Field Coordinator Joselito Sosmeña explains the long process.
Neil Caneso (left), fisherman Casiano Antone, Robert Nanaga and Jerson Lachica are on the final stretch of construction of Antone's house in Barangay Paon, Estancia, Iloilo.
When the NHA granted the permission, NCCP hired a geodetic engineer to make the topographic survey. After the survey was concluded, land development on the site finally commenced. Also, the uncertainty due to the governmentimposed 40 meter no-build zones, which left millions of people living on the shoreline homeless and internally displaced, has made the shelter response difficult. And as rebuilding is taking place throughout the affected areas, there have been difficulties in getting materials and a skilled workforce for construction. Nevertheless, day by day more and more people will be able to move into their new, properly constructed and safe homes. “I will sleep well in the new house. I do not have to worry about my kids, because the house is safe,” Dina Antone says. Construction in teams Construction teams consist of one skilled and 2-3 unskilled workers. To make the work sustainable, construction workers are paid a small wage, based on what is required by law. The building process has seen many unskilled workers learning the job so well that they have been promoted. Part of the work, such as the hauling of materials is done through "bayanihan" (in Tagalog) or "pintakasi" (in Waray), meaning helping one another.
“We have recovered” Analie Gellardo, 33, sits in the receiving room of her new house in Barangay Tanza in Estancia, Iloilo. Gellardo's old house was totally damaged by typhoon Haiyan. “This house is safe. The roof will not fly away in a storm!” Analie Gellardo says smiling. The new house was completed in September 2014. To have a bigger kitchen and more storage room, Gellardo provided funds for an extension. Analie has a small sari-sari store next to the house and her husband works as a motorcycle driver. They have a 12-year old daughter. “We have now recovered from Yolanda (Haiyan),” Analie Gellardo says.
Livelihood Recovery To assist the most vulnerable typhoon survivors to recover their livelihoods, NCCP has provided several kinds of assistance ranging from fishing boats to rice and corn seeds, to pedicabs and piglets. Livelihood needs were extensive in the areas affected by typhoon Yolanda. Assistance will be required for years to come. Almost 6 million workers had their livelihoods lost, suspended or affected in some way because of typhoon Yolanda, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates. Of these, 2.6 million were already in vulnerable employment and living at or near the poverty line even before the deadly storm. NCCP plans its livelihood interventions together with communities, thus creating sustainable, needs-based projects, which build on local knowledge and innovation in livelihood restoration.
Income severely needed “My number 1 reason for happiness right now is that I'm able to fish again,” says fisherman Allan Padilla from barangay Embarkadero in Batad, Iloilo. Padilla earns about 500 pesos a week, depending on the catch. After receiving relief goods during the first months after Yolanda, Padilla has received fishing gear: a net, floaters and sinkers and a gas lamp. Padilla and his family are living in a house he was able to build, thanks to NCCP shelter kit. “To replace all we lost in Yolanda, I would still need more income,” he says. “We are still recovering.” Members of a cooperative of pedicab owners in the city of Tacloban, who lost their equipment to typhoon Yolanda, had new units provided by the NCCP. “Now I can again support my family. After the typhoon, I worked at construction sites, but I could not find work every day. I like this work, too,” says Armando Dotado. Pedicab driver's daily income, about 250 pesos (USD 5) is steady, but still too small to cover all family's needs.
Women included NCCP ensures women's livelihood is not forgotten in the livelihood assistance. After vegetable seed dispersals in Samar, Leyte and Iloilo, new vegetable gardens have been growing in several communities. New components to women's livelihood include support for rootcrop vending in Tacloban and piglet-raising in Estancia and Batad, Iloilo. The piglet-raising project is a continuing project; when the pigs are big enough for selling or producing new piglets, the next group of women will become the beneficiaries. A 10-kg piglet costs 2,500 pesos, which needs to be returned to the women's association partnering with NCCP
in the project. But as a grown pig can be sold for 6,500 pesos, the profit will be substantial. One of the beneficiaries is Analou Frontada in Barangay Daan Banwa, Estancia, Iloilo. She is very excited about the new piglet. “After it has grown, I'll sell it and then buy a new one with the money remaining with me,” she beams.
Good rice crop with NCCP seeds Young farmer Gerard Analou, 29, could hardly believe his luck when harvesting rice - his crop had almost doubled. He had received seed from NCCP rice distribution in barangay Bulak Norte, Batad, Iloilo. “Since then, we have had rice abundantly,” Gerard Ablona says. With the money from selling some of the crop, Ablona was able to buy iron sheets, bamboo lumber and plywood to complete his house destroyed by typhoon Yolanda, as well as new clothes for his family of four. “We are quite stable right now, no big challenges,” says Ablona. But not everyone was so lucky. Several beneficiaries, who had received seeds and planted their corn earlier last year, lost their crop because of extreme heat. The fact that weather has become unpredictable has an enormous effect on the livelihood of farmers.
Edgardo Dela Cruz, Robert Caberoy weighing piglets during distribution to beneficiaries in Barangay Tanza, Iloilo.
First Anniversary Observance of Haiyan NCCP joined the communities in its working areas on 8 November 2014, the first anniversary of Haiyan (Yolanda), as people remembered the dead and celebrated the will to survive. Survivors criticized their government, as many are still waiting for promised assistance . Together with the community of barangay Salvacion in Basey, Samar, NCCP organized a commemorative event on the small island of Jinamoc, some ten kilometers from Tacloban. There NCCP and ACT members Finn Church Aid, Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Aid worked together. In Estancia, Iloilo, NCCP organized an ecumenical worship at NIPSC campus (Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College). People from the communities where NCCP is working joined in big numbers. Some communities had even rented jeepneys to transport people to the event. In Iloilo, NCCP staff, representatives from member churches and beneficiaries from the communities participated in the Haiyan
survivors' rally after the worship. With estimated 4,000 demonstrators, the rally was said to be the biggest mobilization in the history of Estancia. Together with other ACT Alliance members, NCCP also participated in the commemorative walk in Tacloban and the unveiling of the commemorative marker in Basey, Samar. ACT members also had a meeting and fellowship dinner on 7 November with ACT Alliance General Secretary, John Nduna, who was in the country to visit the areas and take part in the observance. NCCP was among the organizations cited by the provincial government of Samar for invaluable service to the rehabilitation efforts.
Theater performances by the youth “We feel abandoned by the government,� said the young people participating in the training of NCCP's Teatro Ekyumenikal in Iloilo. NCCP engaged the youth to participate in the anniversary events. Young people who took
Youth group performing during NCCP Ecumenical worship in Estancia, Iloilo.
A contingent of some 90 representatives from ten ACT Alliance members working in the Philippines took part in a commemorative walk in Tacloban City, one of the hardest-hit areas destroyed by the storm surge. The walk gathered thousands representing many neighborhood groups as well as local and international NGOs.
part in the three-day theater trainings in Iloilo and Samar, created and staged performances for the ecumenical worship in Estancia and the community event in Jinamoc. The performances told about their experiences during Haiyan and its aftermath. “We wanted to engage the young people, so that they could share their experiences. We also wanted to open their eyes about their rights as typhoon survivors,” says one of the trainers Ronelo Manalili, Finance Assistant at NCCP and member of Teatro Ekyumenikal. Testimonies from survivors “I thought it will be the last day of my life,” said survivor Ralf Ocop when he took the stage at the commemorative event in Jinamoc Island. “The wind was so strong that roofs were flying and we did not dare to go out. Then came the wave, and we went to the second floor. There was no time to save our belongings. God took care of us, as we are still alive. Thank you NCCP for being here and assisting us to recover.”
Another survivor, Ruth Villa Sotto told how neighbors saved her two small children who had been playing outside. “I am so thankful for that. I don't know, how I could have lived without my children,” she said through tears. “We have to be better prepared for storms from now on, so that there will be less casualties,” she said. John Nduna responded to the survivors' testimonies in his message in Jinamoc. “It has been a difficult day, because it is November 8th. Each and every one of us has a story to remember and a story worth telling.” According to Nduna, the world has seen that the Filipino people are people with resilience. But it does not mean that they should be stricken with disasters. “Use the resilience for building preparedness, so that during disaster you can protect each other. Challenge us NGOs on how we do our work and what we should do – it's your life, and it's your opinion we should be following,” Nduna said.
Nduna added he was very encouraged by the community's acceptance of NCCP and ACT Alliance to work with them, for their dignity and hope. “The work is not finished,” he added. Residents of Jinamoc had prepared tens of small boats with candles. As darkness fell, they set the floating candles on the sea to remember the 55 dead or missing from the island.
Nduna: Promises were unfulfilled During lunch with NCCP staff in Manila, ACT Alliance General Secretary John Nduna observed the change in the mood compared to his visit in February 2014. He said, “It is good to give the positive pictures, but it is also important to give the real situation on the ground… Promises were unfulfilled.” He added that there's a “disconnect with what politicians say” and the reality. He fully understands why so many people marched in protest. Nduna also said more funding will be needed for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
Taking Whole Community on Board When humanitarian actors rush to assist in disaster-affected communities, they may not be thinking about the mental effects a disaster has on the affected group. There is a lot of discussion in the humanitarian community about participation, do-no-harm and other related core principles, but how well are these taken into account in actual situations? “Community-Based Psychosocial Support (CBPS) is an approach which focuses on strengthening the ability of crisis-affected communities to cope with their situation and increase their capacity to recover,” says Bongiwe Mavuwa, CBPS secondment to NCCP from Church of Sweden. To ensure good quality assistance, CBPS assists humanitarian players to take the “whole community on board.” It helps to empower communities by building on their knowledge and skills and ensures that communities can recover fully and stand on their own. When CBPS is used as an approach, it enhances cooperation between humanitarian actors and communities, it enhances service delivery: when the communities feel empowered and can participate in the planning, implementing, monitoring and
evaluation of assistance, their well-being is enhanced. NCCP is mainstreaming the approach into all components of its Haiyan emergency response program. Building capacity to handle disasters NCCP has trained its staff and communities, partners and member churches on the CBPS approach. It has also conducted trainings on Psychological First Aid at community level, to build up the capacity of the community to handle disaster situations, and to lessen the possibility of long lasting psychological problems in the future. In Psychological First Aid training, the community learns how it can assist before outside help arrives. The “Prepare, Look, Listen and Link” concept gives the people knowledge of what to do after disaster, and how they can assess those who need immediate help. All stand-alone CBPS activities are part of the ongoing interventions in the target communities, engaging and providing support to the target population with activities for both adults and youth.
Group of men during a baseline follow on exercise discussing behavioural changes that they see in the community in the duration of the intervention in Barangay Salvacion, Basey, Samar.
Training For Communities
In How to Lessen Effects of Disasters NCCP conducts a series of Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDDR) training sessions in all the villages included in its Haiyan (Yolanda) emergency response program. During the training, the participants identify and assess the risks, vulnerabilities and capacities of their own village. All participants are members of the community. The training taps their knowledge and local resource – members of the community are the best experts about their own village. Together they brainstorm the preferred activities that the barangay can carry out to reduce risks, what NCCP can do to assist, and what remains the responsibility of the local government. One of the sessions engages the village to remember hazards during the last 20 or 40 years and define what type of disaster is most common, e.g. typhoon, flood or landslide. Participants are sensitized to the difference between a hazard and a disaster: in a
prepared community, a hazard may not even become a disaster. They learn that a lot can be done to lessen the effects. During a transect walk, they look at their barangay and discuss the problems and solutions, such as riprapping the river banks to prevent erosion and flooding, building a sea wall to minimize the effects of a storm surge, or planting trees to avoid a landslide. Participants work in groups to create a hazard map of their village; what areas have the highest risks and how many people live there. And then they define what can be done. Preparedness plans The objective of the trainings is that communities can develop comprehensive preparedness plans (counter disaster plan). Another goal is to create a change of mindset toward self-reliance and responsible ownership of the survival of the community. Even simple things such as a loud bell for warning can save lives. Evacuation, rescue,
Fisherman Roberto Verzoza presents a group work on 'dream village' during the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management training.
Nimfa Torbeles at the construction site of her new house in a safe location in Barangay Odoc, Marabut, Samar.
and relief can be better organized if barangay records include updated numbers of people living in each house. In the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management training in barangay Odoc in Marabut, Samar, the participants were very motivated to learn. Yolanda destroyed many homes and livelihoods here. People listened attentively, worked hard in two groups, and the group work presentations were followed by loud clapping and lively discussion. “It is all of us” “It is not only the barangay council which needs to prepare, it is all of us. I have also learned how important it is that the community has unity, and that we extend a helping hand to each other,” says Christian A. Torbeles, one of the participants during the training. The risks in Odoc are climate change induced extreme heat and extreme rain, overfishing due to lack of knowledge about alternative livelihoods, and also people's disinterest in participation.
projects. As the bridge repair is the responsibility of the municipal government, NCCP will help the community with advocacy efforts with the municipal government.
“I really learned a lot” Nimfa N. Torbeles, 40, is satisfied that she participated in the Disaster Risk Reduction training. “I really learned a lot! It is important to know what to do in case of a catastrophe. A week before a disaster is expected, we should already be prepared. We should bring food, instant food, biscuits, and a thermos with hot water,” she lists. Torbeles and her family of nine now live in a house where they do not feel safe at all, with its nipa walls and a roof which is partly tarpaulin. Their old house was totally washed out during Yolanda.
Riverbanks that flows though Odoc and its neighboring village Ferreras would need to be riprapped in order to stop recurring flooding. Some bridges need to be replaced.
“The floor was the only thing that was left of our house. I learned during Yolanda, that life can change instantly. I lost some of my optimisms about life,” Nimfa Torbeles says.
After compiling the disaster preparedness plan, the next step in Odoc will be to make a proposition to NCCP for assistance, in e.g. riprapping work and alternative livelihood
However, she smiles happily when we visited the construction site of the family's new home. They can soon relocate to a new, stormresistant house from NCCP.
“Pope of the Poor, We Need Justice”
Pope Francis Met Yolanda Survivors “Pope of the poor, we need justice. Stand with us.” This was the message of People's Welcome Eastern Visayas, an aggrupation of survivors of Yolanda and of the ecumenical community, including indigenous peoples. The message was shown on t-shirts around the city in Tacloban when Pope Francis visited the storm-battered city and gave mass at Tacloban airport. The main reason for Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines in January 2015 was to meet with typhoon Haiyan survivors. Hopes were high for the leader of the Catholic Church, known for his concern for the poor, to defend their rights. More than a year after the storm, many typhoon survivors are still waiting for housing and livelihood support promised by the Government. In the Philippines, as all over the world, it is the poor who bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, though they are not the ones responsible for it. NCCP participated in People's Welcome Eastern Visayas event in Tacloban on the day before the Pope's visit in the city. “Government and industrialized nations have a responsibility”, said Ipe Soco from Karapatan, a human rights organization. “My life was not destroyed because of Yolanda, but because of the government,” said "Tupac". Ipe Soco and "Tupac" spoke in the said event. Meeting with Haiyan survivors is only one step in a series of Pope Francis' activities for climate justice. His encyclical on climate change urging all Catholics to take action has been a significant event.
NCCP Chair asks the Pope to continue speaking for the Poor In an inter-religious gathering with Pope Francis and ecumenical leaders, the Chairperson of the NCCP and Obispo Máximo of the Philippine Independent Church, The Most Rev. Ephraim S. Fajutagana, shared NCCP's message to the Pope. He also thanked the Pope for bringing hope to typhoon survivors. “We have been saddened by the response our government has made to the massive destruction of typhoon Yolanda as they appear to have been more sensitive to the desires of business interests than to the needs of the poor. Furthermore, the relief and rehabilitation efforts were manipulated to further vested political interests, and the lands of some of the poorest and most vulnerable victims have been acquired by opportunist private business interests.” “We are thankful that Your Holiness met with those who have been affected by this disaster, we know that your presence brought them strength in this time of struggle, and ask that Your Holiness might share with the world the cry of the people for justice.” Ecumenical leaders also asked the Pope to endorse a resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front. According to The Most Rev. Ephraim S. Fajutagana, “injustices and social inequality are the roots of the armed conflict that the people wish to be resolved through the peace talks.”
Delivery on Commitments (End of project report - April 2015)
Target*
Accomplished FOOD
25,000
Families receive food support
FOOD 27,001
NON-FOOD ITEMS 5,000
Families receive non -food Items kit.
Families received food relief packages.
NON-FOOD ITEMS 8,345
SHELTER
Families received NFI kits (beddings and kitchen utensils.) SHELTER
1,500
Progressive houses for villages with relocation sites and of families with secured land tenure
588
Families received progressive houses.
700
Transitional houses for families who do not own land.
74
Families received transitional houses.
500
Shelter repair kits to families
1,815
Families received shelter repair kits.
LIVELIHOOD 1,107
Families restore their agricultural livelihood through the provision of farm tools and equipment.
2,150 910
Fisherfolks restore their fishery occupation through the provision of fishing boats and fishing paraphernalia.
500
LIVELIHOOD
Families restore their agricultural livelihood through the provision of farm tools and equipment.
1,100
241 farm tools, 19 machineries, 28 carabao (water buffalo)
Families restore their agricultural livelihood through the provision of rice, corn and vegetable seeds.
1,532
Families received rice, corn and vegetable seeds.
Fisherfolks restore their fishery occupation through the provision of fishing boats and fishing paraphernalia.
78 202
Fishing boats Fishing nets/paraphernalia
Livelihood projects for livelihood recovery
25
Livelihood projects (707 families): root crop vending, sari-sari store, Barok and Kakanin vending, pedicabs, hog fattening, hog raising, dried fish processing
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH)
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH)
5,500
Distribution of hygiene kits
4,004
Families received hygiene kits.
1,050
Construction of family latrines
203
Latrines with rainwater harvester constructed by NCA
88
Improvement of existing water wells / pumps
32
Water pumps repaired
88
Installation of new hand pumps
36
Water pumps newly constructed
COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (CBDRR) 5
Task Force formation & skills training in communities
5
Workshop trainings
10
Workshop Orientation sessions
10
Workshop Orientation with communities
COMMUNITY-BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT (CBPS) 12
Basic Training Trainers’ Training
21
Trainers’ Training sessions
1
Baseline Data gathering
14
Sessions
8
Community-Based Psychosocial center
3
Centers established
- Needs assessment - Orientation - Psychological First Aid training
6 sessions with 64 people 5 sessions with 22 people 4 sessions with 51 people
Child Care and Protection Policy & Code of Conduct Orientation
Given to 82 staff
Theater Workshop with presentation during 1 year commemoration of Typhoon Haiyan & assessment
70 youth volunteers in Samar and Iloilo participated.
COMPLAINT RESPONSE MECHANISM (CRM) 14
Established and operational CRM’s
14
Established and operational CRM’s Received at least 12 minor complaints and was addressed by the Field Office
*Targets as in Revised Appeal (period until April 2015). Targets not accomplished within the 1st phase of the project are carried over to the 2nd phase of the NCCP's Typhoon Haiyan Response.
NCCP does not just build homes. It builds communities. With ten member-churches and nine associate members, NCCP is the largest non-Roman Catholic Church organization in the Philippines. NCCP's member churches' knowledge of their communities is a great asset in coordinating what types of responses are needed by the communities. The ecumenical fellowship also provides the churches good opportunities for common prophetic witness and service in responding to the people's issues. NCCP community organizers live in the communities, building strong relationships with the locals. They gather data on the community and prevent programs from being duplicated. Coordination between NCCP, ACT Alliance member organizations, and local government officials adds to the good quality of the work.
The Continuing Work of Partnership and Solidarity The NCCP's Typhoon Haiyan Humanitarian Response is the face of ecumenical solidarity and cooperation in typhoon affected communities. It brings together people from all walks of life, people from around the world, and people from different faiths, who stand together with the victims and survivors of Haiyan. Each one shares something different but equally important – a helping hand, a bag of goods, a prayer, a generous financial contribution, skills as communicators, psycho-social support trainers, finance experts, community workers – in the delivery of a timely and quality response. From the initial emergency phase, the NCCP transitioned to providing early recovery support through livelihood restoration, provision of shelter kits, construction of transitional and semipermanent houses, psychosocial support and community organizing. After 18 months, the need to continue to support the people's efforts in rebuilding and recovering their lives is still urgent and ongoing, especially in the area of shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, and sustainable livelihoods. In the face of recurring disasters and future threats, there is a
pressing need to continue to assist communities to become resilient through comprehensive and effective communitybased disaster risk reduction initiative. The struggle of many, even after many months of this traumatic event, to find security and peace is ongoing and community-based psychosocial support continues to be an important and ongoing part of our response. Building on the strong partnerships that the NCCP has forged with affected communities in Samar, Leyte and Iloilo, the NCCP is continuing its work. The NCCP is also strengthening its partnership with other ACT members working in the Philippines through jointly initiated activities and community-based cooperation.
them, sharing the joys and celebrating the 1 victories with them.” In responding to the devastation of typhoon Haiyan it has become even clearer to us that it is poverty and injustice that heightens people’s vulnerability to natural disasters, and that it is the lack of responsiveness of those in power that inhibits recovery. Mercy and justice will continue to ground our engagement with the people as we seek together with them a future where, as the prophet Isaiah has envisioned: "They will build houses and inhabit them; they will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and another inhabit, they will not plant and another eat....” (Isaiah 65:21-22) Minnie Anne F. Calub Emergency Program Manager, NCCP
In the NCCP’s “ecumenical cooperation and humanitarian assistance for sustainable development, our acts of mercy are our expressions of solidarity.” In providing immediate relief assistance, rebuilding houses for resilient communities, extending support for people's livelihood and other activities, we seek to assist the people in their need. For the NCCP, this is one dimension of solidarity, the other dimension is justice. For the NCCP, solidarity means combining our acts of mercy with our acts of justice, by being one with the people in their organizing and empowerment to challenge those unjust systems and powers that continue to oppress and exploit. By doing this, we realize our identity as “a 'tabernacle church' – a church that accompanies the people in the journey towards their promised land – crying with them, confronting life's vicissitudes with
1 NCCP Jubilee Declaration on Development, March 20, 2014, Quezon City
Gerard Ablona is one of NCCP livelihood beneficiaries in Bulak Norte, Iloilo. His rice crop almost doubled thanks to the good seed quality. Photo by Ulla Kärki / NCCP
THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE! Abby Clutario; Abegail Glorioso; Act for Peace; AFIBB; AFYA Foundation; All We Can; Andie Bangalan; Andrea Kimwell-Mina; Angelica Omones; Anglican Overseas Aid; Annabelle Morales; Anne's Academy; Annie Macawile; Archbishop JC Arnel Evangelista; Ariel Delo; Attendees of the Ecumenical Women's Jubilee Conference; Australian Lutheran World Service; Banlat IEMELIF Church Youth; Batangas City Ecumenical Council; Beaconfield, Leslise; Bekind/Sionites Group; Biyaya Quizon; BPO Industry Employees Network; Bryan Jay Paler; Canadian Churches in Action; Canadian Lutheran World Relief; Carl Baltazar; Carla June Garcia; Carlito Gonayon; Catherine Joyce Reyes; Central United Methodist Church; Christian Aid; Christian Conference of Asia; Christian World Service; Christopher Apelo; Church of Brethren; Church of Sweden; Church World Service, USA; Claire Ignacio; Council of Churches of Malaysia; Crossroads United Methodist Church (UMC); DanChurchAid; Darryl Mata; Diakonia Sweden; Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe; Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Abandoned; Diocese of Surigao-Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Disciples of Christ, USA; Earth Island Institute; Ecumenical Church Foundation, Inc. (ECLOF-Philippines); Edez Santiago; Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP); ECP-Pangasinan; Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines; Episcopal Diocese of Santiago; Era Joy Serrano; Erik Vargas; Estrella Ong (Bien Pilipinas); Eusebio Family; Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; Evangelical Lutheran Kirche Bayern; EWJC; Ferdinand Cabanero; Finn Church Aid; Francisco Homes UMC; Frangeli House; Franz Genine Mondragon; Friends of NCCP; Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia; Ghia Cruz; Gia Santos-Lim; Glenford Gumban; Go Explore the Outdoors (GEO); Grace Robles; Harris Memorial College; Herbert Sanchez; Holy Child St. Martin Episcopal; Hong Kong Christian Council; Hungarian Interchurch Aid; I-Bridge Systems Philippines, Inc.; ICCO & Kerk in Actie; Icelandic Church Aid; Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF); IEMELIF Cathedral School; IEMELIF District II-East Bulacan; IEMELIF District II-North East; IEMELIF District II-West; Immanuel Baptist Church; International Orthodox Christian Charities; Ismael Fisco & Shiela Marie Cortez-Fisco; Ivana Manalo; Jamaica Roman; Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church; Jeddiah Kaye Valencia; Jimmy Mariano; Jing Patacsil; Joey Aquino; Jose Cortina; Joshua Hesed Crismo; Jude Roman; Kapalangan Farmers in Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church; Krizzia Larrine Sala; Lalaine Camaddo; Larry Millan; Lend a Hand, Pamplonenos Way of Helping; Leslie Pingol; Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc.; Lutheran World Federation; Lutheran World Relief; Magadla Family; Maloy Macaraig; Manitoba Council for International Cooperation; Marian Berma; Marinete dela Cruz; Maya Cortina; McDonald's-EDSA, Panay; Melissa Pineda & Timothy Parham (BAYAN USA); Meredel Arciaga; Methodist Relief & Development Fund-UK; Michelle dela Cruz; Migrante International & Anakbayan in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan Chapter; Migrante International from Brgy. 836 Pandacan, Manila; Missionary of Jesus Seminarians; Moriela; National Christian Council in Japan; National Council of Churches-Korea; National Council of Churches-Sri Lanka; Nancy Palpara; NCCP-Executive Committee Members; NCCP Staff; N'cois Cabanero; Norwegian Church Aid; Norwegian Mission Alliance, Philippines; Odette Francisco; Pagsambang Bayan; Pak Methodist Trinity; Pamela Pagkatipunan; Pamplona IEMELIF Church; Patriarch John Florentine Teruel; Patrick Mendoza; Peter Borbo; Philippine Bible Society; Philippine Christian University-Union Highschool of Manila; Philogioscientia; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; Presbyterian World Service, Canada; Primate's World Relief and Development Fund Canada; Princess Soliven; Protestantse Kerk Heemstede; Quennie Candy Ngileb; R356 Company; Rakuno Gakuen University; Reena Monalie Ramos; Reishy Terciano; Restore Outdoor Club; Rogime Fajutagana; Ronald Uy; Rosechell Gamir; Rowena Reyes; Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish-Kamuning; Salumi Efrem Malaki; SAMAGKA, Inc.; Samahan ng mga Magkakaibigan; Samaritana Transformation Ministries, Inc.; San Lorenzo Episcopal Church Toronto, Canada; Sandelin Felix; Sapang Palay, Christian Heights & UCCP-SLJ, MLJ, NLJ Ordination Candidates; Senior Citizens of ABBELB; Small Hands Philippines; Soledad Nieto; Solidarite Protestante; Spurgfun School Foundation, Inc.; St. Albans Uniting Church; St. Mary's Nagasaka; Stephanie Velasco; Swiss Interchurch Aid (HEKS); Tandang Sora IEMELIF Church; Taro Aihara; Task Force Urban Conscientization-Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines; Tavola Valdese, Italy; The Presbyterian Church of Korea; The UPLB Science Society; Thessa Conanan; Thursday Group; Tinajeros Highschool Students; Travis Gonayon; TSA Caloocan Corp.; United Church of Canada; United Church of Christ in Japan; United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Crame; UCCP-Manila Central Church of Christ Disciples; UCCP-Tondo Evangelical Church; UEPAL; United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); Uniting World Australia; VCS South Luzon Participants; VCS Visayas Participants; Vernise Marie Furto; Vhona Caling; Wider Church Ministries; Y CARE International.
And for ALL those who, in one way or another, have helped in this humanitarian response, THANK YOU.
Joining Hands in Haiyan Response National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) is a member of ACT Alliance, a global alliance of Christian churches and related organizations in over 140 countries. ACT Alliance works together for positive and sustainable change in the lives of people affected by poverty and injustice, through coordinated and effective humanitarian, development and advocacy work. ACT Alliance Haiyan response has been active in 108 municipalities, 8 cities in 6 regions reaching an estimated 1 million people. At the height of the emergency, there were 13 ACT member organizations working in the Philippines. Altogether 30 ACT members including their back donors and 5 external organizations have supported ACT Alliance Haiyan Response. ACT member organizations were able to provide: · · · · · ·
food security shelter repair and construction livelihoods for the most vulnerable water, health and sanitation storm-resistant classrooms disaster risk reduction, including capacity building for communities and partners
Supporting these were cross-cutting work in quality & accountability and community-based psychosocial support. The response will continue, as four ACT Alliance implementing members, including NCCP, are preparing for a second phase of Haiyan response. During the second phase, from May 2015 to October 2016, the focus of assistance will be on shelter, livelihood recovery and communitybased psychosocial support and disaster risk reduction.
Representatives from ACT Alliance members during fellowship meeting with ACT General Secretary John Nduna in Tacloban, November 2014.
ACT Alliance Coordination Center 2nd Floor NCCP BLVDM Ecumenical Center 879 EDSA, West Triangle, Quezon City, 1104 Philippines Tel. (632) 921 0939 Email: actphil@actalliance.org www.actalliance.org
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines 2/F NCCP BLVDM Ecumenical Center 879 Epifanio de los Santos Avenue West Triangle, 1104 Quezon City, Philippines Tel. (632) 921 0939 Email: nccp.actalliance@gmail.com www.nccphilippines.org
Editorial Team: Ulla Kärki, Minnie Anne Calub, Mervin Sol Toquero, Edward Santos, Ptr. Andy Tiver, Sylwyn Sheen Alba Layout: Ericardo Elizondo Photos: Bong Dalisay, Paul Jeffrey, Ulla Kärki, Bongiwe Mavuwa, Armon Munez, Jonathan Sta. Rosa, Edward Santos, Joselito Sosmeña