2014
MID-TERM REPORT ON HAIYAN RESPONSE
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
REBUILDING TOGETHER
A graffiti reference in the ruins of Basey, Samar, to the passage of typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda.
BEING LIGHT AND SALT Not a few lessons have been learned and affirmed seven months after typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit Central Philippines. The pages of this mid-term report show in part how people of faith around the world sustain the spirit of sharing. Sharing defines what we are as people who have faith in God who cares.
The spontaneous response of the world to be in solidarity with the survivors of typhoon Haiyan, the services of the churches in the Philippines, the work of the ACT Alliance family including the NCCP, the generous response of both partner agencies in many parts of the world and of those many likeminded development and civil society groups made the NCCP work possible – notwithstanding the dismal inability of the national government to respond quickly and efficiently. On one hand, the response and current engagements of the groups mentioned above are solemn acts of goodwill.
This report also celebrates how survivors of disasters rise from the depths of mourning and pain to lay claim to the promise of “abundant life” (John 10:10) once more.
On the other hand, they are an indictment of a government whose concern for the welfare of its citizens is only rhetoric. The stories on the ground bear witness to this woeful truth.
The pages of this mid-term report of the NCCP–ACT Alliance Humanitarian Response to typhoon Haiyan are an unfolding story of how we can make real the command of Jesus Christ to “give them something to eat” (Mark 6:32-44) in these difficult times. It tells of the partnership of people everywhere who are grounded on the indomitable spirit of nurturing communities that love, care and share. Hence the crescendo, “we do not only build houses, we build communities”!
Not many are called to serve in such profound ways as the staff and volunteers. But all are called to pray and care for one another. The destruction wrought by typhoon Haiyan is a painful reminder that regardless of time and place, we live not only for ourselves but also for others. REV. REX RB REYES, JR. General Secretary, NCCP
Destruction in Marabut, Samar.
EASTERN VISAYAS Roxas Tacloban
Ormoc
16
Cebu
MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED BY TYPHOON HAIYAN
NCCP response
REBUILDING COMMUNITIES AFTER TYPHOON HAIYAN Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda), considered the world's strongest typhoon ever to make landfall, slammed into Guiuan, Eastern Samar in the early morning of 8 November packing a sustained wind of 235 kph and gusts of 275 kph. The typhoon made five subsequent landfalls in Tolosa, Leyte Province; Bantayan and Daanbantayan, Cebu; Concepcion, Iloilo; and Busuanga, Palawan. It caused loss of lives and extensive damage to houses, livelihoods and infrastructure. Government figures estimate that the super typhoon affected about 14 million people and left 4.1 million displaced. The number of damaged houses is placed at 1 million with half of them completely destroyed. The UN Cluster on Food Security and Agriculture reported that the livelihood of over a quarter of a million small scale farmers was affected. Seven months after Haiyan, the provision of a durable shelter as well as access to basic services like water and sanitation, education and livelihood, remains to be a challenge for those involved in the humanitarian response. More than 2 million people are still living without adequate or durable shelter.
The NCCP humanitarian response has shifted its focus from emergency to early recovery phase to address the challenge. Shelter construction in targeted villages in Samar started as early as mid-March. Initiatives to restore livelihood and access to alternative sources of income began 3rd week of April. The work has been slowed by weather, logistics, shortage of supplies, and legal documentation requirements. For the next months, NCCP will continuously implement the “Build Back Better” approach in the rehabilitation of devastated villages and work closely with the people it aims to assist, as they try to build more resilient, disasterprepared communities. Disaster-preparedness is vital. Although typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest storms to make landfall in recorded history, the Philippines, a low-lying country of over 100 million people, will continue to face threats from more intense typhoons, dramatic changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and increasing temperatures – as a result of climate change.
NOVEMBER
Typhoon Yolanda Yolanda hits hits the the Philippines Philippines Typhoon NCCP staff staff conduct conduct rapid rapid assessment assessment in in NCCP
Samar, Leyte, Leyte, Iloilo Iloilo Samar,
NCCP mobilizes mobilizes staff, staff, volunteers volunteers and and NCCP
ecumenical partners partners to to support support emergency emergency ecumenical response response NCCP starts starts to to hosts hosts ACT ACT Coordination Coordination Center Center NCCP Distribution of of food food and and non-food non-food items items (NFI) (NFI) Distribution such as as beddings beddings and and kitchen kitchen utensils, utensils, as as well well such as hygiene hygiene kits kits as Deployment of of Lutheran Lutheran World World Federation Federation Deployment (LWF) to to support support NCCP NCCP (LWF) Typhoon Haiyan Haiyan Preliminary Preliminary appeal appeal launched launched Typhoon NCCP operation operation center center temporarily temporarily set set up up in in NCCP UCCP Catbalogan Catbalogan City City UCCP
JANUARY
Typhoon Agaton Agaton and and tropical tropical depression depression •• Typhoon Basyang hit hit the the Visayas Visayas Basyang Second round round of of community community needs needs •• Second assessment assessment Start planning planning for for shelter shelter construction construction •• Start Installation of of solar solar lamps lamps provided provided by by ECP ECP in in •• Installation selected villages villages begins begins selected Distribution of of food, food, NFIs NFIs and and hygiene hygiene kits kits •• Distribution continues continues Memorandum of of Understanding Understanding with with •• Memorandum Norwegian Church Church Aid Aid signed signed Norwegian
MARCH
Two Community-Based Community-Based Psychosocial Psychosocial Support Support •• Two secondment from from Church Church of of Sweden Sweden (CoS) (CoS) secondment conduct baseline baseline data data gathering, gathering, Basic Basic conduct Orientation on on CBPS CBPS and and Training Training of of Trainers Trainers Orientation NCCP participates participates in in training training on on establishing establishing •• NCCP Complaint Response Response Mechanism Mechanism (CRM) (CRM) Complaint Groundbreaking ceremony ceremony in in Barangay Barangay •• Groundbreaking Salvacion marks marks the the start start of of shelter shelter Salvacion construction project project construction Representatives from from PWSD PWSD and and PWRDF PWRDF •• Representatives conduct project project monitoring monitoring conduct NCCP Field Field Office Office set set up up in in Balasan, Balasan, Iloilo Iloilo •• NCCP
MAY
NCCP and and other other ACT ACT members members facilitate facilitate weekweek NCCP
long Donor’s Donor’s Joint Joint Monitoring Monitoring Visit Visit in in Panay Panay long Island, Samar, Samar, Leyte, Leyte, Cebu Cebu and and Negros Negros Island, provinces provinces NCCP distributes distributes fishing fishing nets nets and and gears gears in in NCCP Barangay Embarkadero Embarkadero in in Iloilo Iloilo Barangay Ground breaking breaking ceremony ceremony to to signal signal start start of of Ground shelter construction construction in in Barangay Barangay Odoc Odoc and and shelter Ferreras in in Samar Samar Ferreras Community consultations consultations start start in in Iloilo Iloilo for for the the Community establishment of of CRM CRM establishment NCCP submits submits revision revision for for the the ACT ACT Appeal Appeal NCCP PHL131 PHL131
NCCP RESPONSE
TIMELINE
DECEMBER
ACT Appeal Appeal PHL PHL 131-Typhoon 131-Typhoon Haiyan Haiyan •• ACT Response published published Response Implementing members members join join the the UN UN Online Online •• Implementing Project System System and and 66 components components were were Project published published NCCP operation operation center center set set up up in in UCCPUCCP•• NCCP Tacloban City City Tacloban NCCP participates participates in in UN-led UN-led cluster cluster meetings meetings •• NCCP NCCP staff staff join join Q&A Q&A training training conducted conducted by by •• NCCP Lutheran World World Relief Relief (LWR) (LWR) Lutheran Distribution of of food, food, NFIs NFIs and and hygiene hygiene kits kits •• Distribution continues continues
FEBRUARY
Start of of preparatory preparatory activities activities such such as as debris debris Start
and farm farm clearing clearing and
Relief distribution distribution continues continues in in unserved unserved Relief
villages, those those with with limited limited capacity capacity to to recover recover villages, or hit hit by by Typhoon Typhoon Agaton Agaton and and Basyang Basyang or Secondment of of Lutheran Lutheran World World Federation Federation Secondment (LWF) for for DRR DRR and and rehabilitation rehabilitation arrives arrives to to (LWF) support NCCP NCCP in in recovery recovery programs programs support Cutting of of fallen fallen coconut coconut trees trees for for shelter shelter Cutting construction starts starts in in Barangay Barangay Salvacion Salvacion construction John Nduna, Nduna, ACT ACT Alliance Alliance General General Secretary Secretary John conducts monitoring monitoring visit visit conducts Memorandum of of Understanding Understanding with with Finn Finn Memorandum Church Aid Aid signed signed Church
APRIL
Vegetable seed seed dispersal dispersal in in Barangay Barangay Vegetable Salvacion starts starts and and seedling seedling nursery nursery for for Salvacion communal farming farming set set up up communal Workshop on on CBPS CBPS work work plan plan and and staff staff care care Workshop guidelines developed developed guidelines NCCP Executive Executive Committee Committee approves approves NCCP resolution to to establish establish Complaint Complaint Response Response resolution Mechanism (CRM) (CRM) Mechanism NCCP hosts hosts visitors visitors from from Hong Hong Kong Kong Christian Christian NCCP Council (HKCC), (HKCC), United United Church Church of of Canada Canada Council (UCC) and and Fellowship Fellowship of of the the Least Least Coin Coin (UCC) Community consultation consultation for for CRM CRM starts starts in in Community Samar Samar Secondment from from FCA FCA for for NCCP NCCP Secondment Communications Officer Officer Communications
JUNE
Rice and and corn corn seeds seeds distributed distributed in in four four •• Rice farming villages villages in in Iloilo Iloilo farming Construction of of model model houses houses starts starts in in •• Construction Barangay Daan Daan Banwa Banwa and and Tanza Tanza in in Iloilo Iloilo Barangay 22 progressive progressive houses houses completed completed in in Barangay Barangay •• 22 Salvacion while while 114 114 houses houses are are in in various various Salvacion stages of of construction construction stages Mid-term assessment assessment and and planning planning of of NCCP NCCP •• Mid-term staff staff
PACKAGES OF RELIEF – AND LOVE NCCP food distributions to affected population began on November 18, 2013. The heavy deluge of trucks transporting relief goods from different aid agencies posed some logistical problems in the early days of the crisis and slightly delayed the delivery of relief assistance. NCCP distributed food packs consisting of rice (from 8kg to 25kg), canned goods, sugar, dried fish, legumes, cooking oil, salt, powdered milk and biscuits. The food package was able to meet the basic food requirements of a family (with five members) from one week to 14 days. NCCP aimed to provide for the basic and supplementary food needs of 20,000 families or 100,000 individuals. NCCP was able to provide food relief to 23,087 families (115% achieved) or about 115,435 individuals in Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Iloilo and other affected provinces in Central Philippines. Food relief beneficiaries were chosen among the poorest families in the affected villages, those communities in remote/hardly-reached areas and/or villages that had not yet been served by other NGOs/humanitarian agencies. Priority was also given to female-headed families, families with elderly, persons with disabilities (PWD), pregnant or lactating women or minors, and families who have the least capacity to recover. The project also responded to the emergency needs of families who moved out from Samar and Leyte to the National Capital Region. “This is a really big help,� said Eva Campo after receiving a relief package from NCCP on December 10th in the village of Batang in Hernani. Campo and her family of five were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs when typhoon Haiyan hit. The packages were big: 25 kilos of rice, other food items, kitchen wares and utensils, hygiene kits and sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets. They were met with gratitude and smiles.
Relief goods are distributed to survivors in Estancia, Iloilo.
Shelter
WE DO NOT ONLY BUILD HOUSES, WE BUILD COMMUNITIES MILLION HOUSES DAMAGED More than 1 million houses were destroyed or damaged by typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) all over Visayas, the central part of the Philippines. The 40 meter 'No-Dwelling Zone' government policy left millions of people living on the shoreline homeless and internally displaced. More than half of the population in the affected areas live below the poverty line of US$1.25 a day. There is a pressing need for long term housing, land and property support. However, with 90 % of the land in the hands of big land owners and a very difficult process to acquire land and land titles, land issues are a challenge for long-term shelter construction. NCCP has nine Shelter Construction projects covering nine villages in four municipalities in Samar, Leyte and Iloilo, reaching 2,700 families. NCCP has also managed to secure safe relocation sites. NCCP has built good relations with the local government units. Relocation sites in Salvacion, Ferreras and Odoc have been bought by the local government units from private owners. Barefooted and drenched under the pouring rain, Felipe Gacus tirelessly digs a deep hole
"Feels good to participate, to build for my family and community”
on the top of a hill in the middle of Jinamoc Island in Barangay Salvacion, Basey, Samar. Barely four months after super typhoon Yolanda washed away his house and livelihood, the 35-year-old father of four is working to rebuild his future. Soon, he and 274 other families will rebuild their houses together. When super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ravaged the Visayas, no one expected the storm surge to be so intense. With water already reaching the roof, Felipe Gacus tied himself to his wife and four children and climbed on the roof of the highest building in the barangay. They were tied to each other, so that “if we were to die in that typhoon, the family would be found as a whole”. Three times the waves submerged the island and each time more houses, boats, food and lives were washed away. A fisherman, Gacus not only lost his home and means of livelihood.
The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), another ACT Alliance member, worked alongside with NCCP in the island focusing in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) through the construction of family latrines and rain water harvesting facility. Third ACT member Christian Aid supported debris clearing in the barangay. "This is a great day. Housing project is a big help for Ferreras," says Percival Ortillo, Municipal Mayor of Marabut at the Groundbreaking Ceremony in Barangay Ferreras in Samar.
but also his mother, five nephews and nieces, and his sister in law. Out of 341 houses in Salvacion, 274 were totally damaged and the remaining 67 heavily damaged. Farm and rice lands were destroyed, alongside 159 fishing boats, livestock and water supplies.
“WE FEEL SAFE� Aiming for sustainable recovery, it is NCCP's policy to create strong relationships with the community, to build upon and expand the remaining local structures. This not only means consulting the local leaders and engaging them to lead and organize the community, but also ensuring that the whole community is participating in the planning, decision-making, implementing and monitoring of the projects.
As part of the NCCP Humanitarian Response, the community of Salvacion is supported in building progressive shelter for all families who lost their homes. Reconstruction support is provided for the families whose houses were partially damaged. Despite challenging land acquisition and ownership, the NCCP, together with the community and the local government, succeeded in signing a Memorandum of Agreement to secure a relocation site on a hill in the middle of the island for those families within the 40 meter No-Dwelling Zone. The new shelters are 'semi-permanent or progressive core shelters', meaning it is a semi-concrete building with a concrete lower half and soft materials on for the upper half as well as a galvanized fixed roofing as a basic structure. It is a core shelter built on a 60m² plot, which can be expanded at any time depending on the resident's needs and capacities. The house consists of a kitchen, comfort room, water tank, two gender sensitive separated bedrooms, a dining room and a receiving room.
In Salvacion, Servando Alliabas (left) and Joel Abeleno, are constructing a four-cornered roof, which has proven resistant to strong winds.
Consequently, it was a local engineer, Ms. Rizel Mayo, 27, who drew the vicinity map and was in charge of positioning the site. Other members of the community were engaged in various income generating systems, such as the weekly rotating cash-for-work program engaging 10 people in cutting, clearing and hauling of coconut lumber, as well as for the production of hollow blocks. Each hollow block produced equated to an earning of 2.50 pesos. Felipe Gacus states: “We will feel safe here, because the flood cannot reach us when it comes. I'm content. It will be bigger, better than my house before.” “The work helps me to forget, because I am focused, it keeps me from thinking about what I lost, and I'm content. It feels good to participate for the community, to build for my family."
TARGET 20,000 5,000 1,500
Food
Families received food support
Non-Food Items (NFI’s) Families received Non-Food Items kit
Shelter
Progressive houses for villages with relocation sites or with secured land tenure.
700
Transitional houses for families who do not own land.
500
Shelter repair kits provided to families with partially damaged homes.
1,107 910
5,500 1,050 880
Livelihood
Families restored their agricultural livelihood through the provision of rice, corn and vegetable seeds. Families restored their fishery occupation through repair of damaged fishing boats and other paraphernalia.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Families received hygiene kits. Latrines constructed or repaired.
Families benefitted from repaired or newly-constructed water pumps / wells.
BREAKING THE GROUND On a sunny afternoon on March 16, more than 700 people gathered to take part in the Ground Breaking Ceremony. Salvacion community Barangay Captain Tony Dizon and the current NCCP Chairperson, Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, The Most Rev. Ephraim Fajutagana, together with Norwegian Church Aid and NCCP expressed their hopes and prayers for the Island of Jinamoc. Written down and placed into a glass jar as the community sang Pananagutan – a song about living together and helping each other– the jar was slowly lowered into the ground and the hole covered up again.
Delivery On Commitments (as of June 2014) ACCOMPLISHED
Food
23,087 Families received food relief packages. Non-Food Items (NFI’s)
received NFI kits (beddings and 8,345 Families kitchen utensils).
Shelter
construction of progressive 580 Ongoing houses in five villages in Samar. houses completed with 22 Progressive 114 units in various stages of
construction. Two model transitional houses in Iloilo completed.
Livelihood
received rice, corn and non1,034 Families hybrid vegetable seeds. received fishing nets/gears 77 Families and other fishing paraphernalia.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
4,004 Families received hygiene kits.
Cheryl Vegua in front of the nursery in Salvacion.
Livelihood
DREAM COME TRUE From the very beginning, the NCCP included women in their disaster response, to the smallest details. For instance, in all 4,004 distributed hygiene kits, women would not only find sanitary napkins, but also six pairs of underwear. During the ACT Alliance Joint Monitoring Visit in May, it became clear how much of a difference this consideration made for women's self-respect. The NCCP has a pro-active gender approach, supporting meaningful involvement of women. As it aims to provide a holistic and integrated disaster response, all stakeholders – from local governance to vulnerable groups – are represented in community consultations. In the island of barangay Salvacion in Basey, it was the women who took the lead. They also suggested to the NCCP to help them start off an agricultural project. The women knew exactly which seeds would prosper in which type of soil and how to start up an organic garden and seedling nursery – they just lacked the starting capital. The NCCP
decided to provide non-hybrid seedlings, water pumps and tools. Furthermore, the NCCP provided additional income to the locally hired carpenters who built the seedling nursery sheds and organic compost pits. A case in point in how women have a strong role to play in the sustainable development of their communities, is that this group of women decided to share their harvested seeds with all women in the community, to encourage backyard gardening as additional livelihoods. According to Cheryl Vegua, leader of the women's group: “I have to be happy despite Yolanda, because this garden is a dream come true”.
AgricultureTargeted Beneficiaries: 5,535 Reached Beneficiaries: 5,170
(93 %) FishingTargeted Beneficiaries: 4,550 Reached Beneficiaries: 389 (9 %)
I CAN START FISHING AGAIN “Typhoon Haiyan destroyed our house and my boat. We were left with nothing,” says Alan Padilla, a fisherman and father of three. Padilla lives in one of the hardest-hit areas of Philippines, in Barangay Embarkadero in Iloilo, Panay Island. “We lived along the coastline. When we heard the warning, my wife and children evacuated to the village school. I decided to stay and guard the house and boat. But later my brother came to tell that I should also evacuate.” This saved Padilla's life. No one in Embarkadero could imagine that this time the storm would be so powerful. No one even
knew what a storm surge was. Fierce winds and several meters high storm surge decimated all the small houses near the coast. Boats and fishing nets went missing or were wrecked. Survivors in Embarkadero have received food assistance, sleeping materials, kitchen wares, utensils and hygiene kits from NCCP. The response has moved on from emergency relief to early recovery. The NCCP will help residents of Embarkadero to repair shelters and construct new houses that are better resistant to storms. Livelihood assistance includes fishing nets and gear – Embarkadero residents are already receiving boats from other agencies working in the area – dried-fish processing, seed distribution and animal dispersal. Disaster preparedness trainings and psychosocial work will help people to understand what they can do to protect themselves, and to cope with their losses. Soon Alan Padilla will be able to start fishing again. The thought makes him very happy. “I have worked helping with the construction of new boats. Now I am assembling the new net, attaching the weighs and floaters.” “I expect to earn about 200 pesos (US$ 5) per day, depending on the catch.”
CLOSE TO THE COMMUNITIES The National Council of Churches' close ties with the communities it serves as well as the extensive network of its member and associate member churches constitute an added value for the organization. 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. Community organizers also ensure that all community members are included in the work, and that everybody supports NCCP in implementing its programs. 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 Tacloban team at the Ground Breaking Ceremony in Salvacion
Furthermore, the coordination between NCCP, all ACT Alliance member organizations, and local government officials adds to the good quality of the work. NCCP does not just build homes. It builds communities.
BAYANIHAN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION – AGE-OLD SYSTEM, BRAND NEW COMMUNITIES NCCP supports the rehabilitation process of Haiyan (Yolanda) survivors through the system of Bayanihan (Tagalog) / Pintakasi (Waray), an ethical principle of solidarity and volunteerism. Bayanihan is derived from the Tagalog word bayan, meaning town, community or nation. Following bayanihan literally means 'being a bayan', a community member. Historically, the term can be traced back to a common tradition in Philippine villages where members of the community would volunteer to help a family move to a new place. The volunteers would literally stick bamboo poles underneath the house and carry it to a new place. To increase the sustainability of the NCCP shelter project, the owners are involved in the system of Bayanihan: each team of 10 owners will build 10 houses. The signatory Filipino resilience, often touted in the media in the aftermath of super typhoon, does not entail that Filipinos can cope because they are used to so many disasters. Rather, it is the strong foundation of a community spirit which comes forth in times of need. In the long term, the Bayanihan system will result to a stronger unity and cooperation in the community.
COMPLAINT RESPONSE MECHANISM SUPPORTS BENEFICIARIES' RIGHTS NCCP has established a Complaint Response Mechanism (CRM), developed in close cooperation with the communities NCCP assists. Handling complaints means that the organization enables the people it assists to raise complaints and receive a response through an effective, accessible and safe process. The complaint response mechanism promotes transparency and supports people's rights as beneficiaries. Complaints can be related to program activities (e.g. issues of entitlements and commitments , quality or management of service). Serious complaints are related to breach of code of conduct (e.g. concern about the behavior of staff, physical or psychological abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse such as gender based violence or child abuse) or fraud and corruption. NCCP community workers conducted consultation meetings to gather
NCCP Tacloban Field Assistant Bong Dalisay facilitating CRM training.
recommendations from the affected communities on appropriate ways to implement CRM. The representatives of beneficiaries identified several ways for giving complaints: going directly to the barangay officials, going directly to NCCP staff, drop box with pieces of paper for writing the complaint and hotline number for texting directly to NCCP Complaints Committee Headquarters in Manila. Complaint signages indicating the contact number of the Office of General Secretary and NCCP hotline number are now in place in barangays. To ensure senior management commitment to CRM, recommendations to establish the policies and guidelines for the NCCP complaint response mechanism, as well as to designate the NCCP Typhoon Haiyan Project team as the complaint management committee were unanimously approved during the April 10 NCCP Executive Committee meeting.
COMMUNITY-BASED PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT NCCP response does not stop with the physical reconstruction. Another component of our response is the Community-based Psychosocial Support (CBPS). Complementing traditional humanitarian aid with mental and social dimension, Community-Based Psychosocial Support protects and improves mental health and psychosocial well-being of people, increasing their capacity to recover. It is an approach that focuses on strengthening the ability of crisis-affected communities to cope with their situation. The methodology is communitybased and participative. It includes all stakeholders to the greatest possible extent. Empowering the community and involving them with their own knowledge, resources, experiences, values and practices makes a long lasting and appropriate response. Trainings on Psychological First Aid have been done in the community level to strengthen the capacity of the community to handle disaster situations, and lessen the possibility of long lasting psychological problems in the future. Monitoring of the mainstreaming of psychosocial support is also being done to ensure that basic living conditions and protection are relevant and dignified. All the CBPS activities that are happening in the communities are part of the ongoing establishment of psychosocial centres in the target communities, engaging and providing support to target population with activities for adults and children. Also batches of trainings for local psychosocial volunteers are scheduled to be conducted in the same target communities.
Group of women in Barangay Serum in Samar gather for sharing of experiences, needs and changes they observe in the community after the typhoon.
ADVOCACY AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL While the NCCP continues to implement its humanitarian response in relation to typhoon Yolanda, it has also raised the issue of slow government response in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). This is through the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines (EcuVoice) of which NCCP is one of the coconvenors. The EcuVoice sent a delegation to the 26th sessions of the UNHRC. Rev. Irma Balaba, Assistant Program Secretary of the Program Unit on Christian Unity and Ecumenical Relations, was the NCCP representative to the delegation from June 819, 2014. Balaba, a survivor of typhoon Yolanda, met with Prof. Philip Alston, recently appointed as UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and Dr. Chaloka Beyani, special rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to relay the situation of people in typhoon ravaged areas in the Philippines. She also submitted an oral intervention delivered before member states of the UNHRC. In her statement Balaba strongly urged the Council to conduct investigations into the “slow, inefficient and inadequate response of the Philippine government to the plight of the millions of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda victims.” Balaba recounted that “thousands of desperate and traumatized residents fled the regions affected by the typhoon, as its impact on the affected communities exacerbated the poverty incidence and intensified the number of victims of displacement in the Philippines.” “Up until now, the government does not have an alternative plan for the displaced communities that would ensure their long-term alternative livelihood, safe relocation areas,
free housing and access to social services“, she added. Balaba also urged the Council to monitor and investigate how the assistance extended by the international community for relief and rehabilitation in the devastated areas was utilized by the government. Balaba's intervention during the General Debates of the 26th UNHRC sessions, was delivered on June 20 by Sr. Stella Matutina of the Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), as Balaba had to return to the Philippines on the 19th. Sr. Matutina is also part of the delegation of human rights advocates participating in the UNHRC sessions. The delegation is a follow-up engagement to the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines in 2012 and the review of the Philippine government's compliance to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Maraming Salamat* Volunteers! Together we can, Together we are stronger, Together we stand, Together We Survive Whenever there is an emergency, NCCP calls on its member churches, church youth organizations and their networks, as well as ecumenical connections, for volunteers. Scores of volunteers weighed rice and dried beans, counted tins of sardines, packets of biscuits and bottles of cooking oil before carefully packing food parcels destined for families devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
Mr. Floyd Castro (Professional, from Small Hands Group): Thanks for NCCP's Oplan Paglingap Relief Operation, for giving us the opportunity to help even in our small way, in a short time and in a least effort that we can, due to our daily working lives as professional. Thanks NCCP-ACT Alliance for openness, consideration and slot given for us to serve for our brothers and sisters in Tacloban. Kim Suk Hyun (Sophia, Korean Youth, Harris Memorial College Guest): Thanks NCCP for inviting us in repacking of goods for the victims hit by this disastrous typhoon. We're so happy to hear during the orientation about the importance of these food packs and our participation in this relief operation. Mrs. Felicitas Cabalquinto (Senior Citizen, Association of Barangay Balingasa Elders Legacy and Beyond (ABBELB)) – At my age and strength, thanks to NCCP for giving our senior citizens group the opportunity to serve in this kind of relief operation. Also, the comfort you shared inspires us and makes us feel that we are not different in spite of our oldness, as long as the spirit to serve is there. Julia Iza Mangawang (Student, Tinajeros Highschool) In spite of our busyness in our class, you gave us time to help and serve Typhoon Haiyan survivors without disturbing our class period. Thanks for the great experience and awareness you shared. “Putting goods in a relief bag without the feeling of love, compassion and encouragement is still lacking. Rev. Johnie Ocampo (Pastor, Iglesia Evangelica Methodista En Las Islas Filipinas, IEMELIF): I salute NCCP's continuous relief work, as they always give us time and call us to be part of serving God's people. Being one of the member churches of the NCCP, I feel proud and happy that in spite of our differences, volunteers enjoy helping each other. The atmosphere of serving our brothers and sisters in those affected areas is unexplainable, the spirit of helping is in the highest level, with respect, sharing and joy. BRO. MJ Paguyo (Seminarian, Missionary of Jesus) It is my first time to encounter and experience that both Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches are working together in one activity and with one aim. I love to work ecumenically, my experiences with the joyous sharing there are unforgettable. I hope that it's not only during disaster relief operations that we will meet again but even in other activities and opportunities.
*Many thanks
Thank you to our donors. ACT for Peace, Australia; Abby Clutario; Abegail Glorioso; AFIBB; AFYA Foundation; Andrea Kimwell-Mina; Andie Bangalan; Angelica Omones; Anglican Overseas AID-Australia; Annabelle Morales; Anne's Academy; Annie Macawile; Ariel B. Delo; Attendees of the Ecumenical Women's Jubilee Conference; Australian Lutheran World Service; Archbishop JC Arnel Evangelista; Banlat IEMELIF Church Youth; Batangas City Ecumenical Council; Beaconfield, Leslise; Bekind/Sionites Group; Biyaya Quizon; BPO Industry Employees Network; Bryan Jay J. 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-New Zealand (Government); Christopher Apelo; Church World Service, USA; Church of Sweden; Crossroads-UMC; Claire Ignacio; Dan Church Aid, Denmark; Darryl Mata; Diakonia, Sweden; Diakonie Katastrophehilfe, Germany; 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; Episcopal Church in the Philippines-Pangasinan; Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines; Episcopal Diocese of Santiago (EDS); Era Joy Serrano; Estrella Ong (Bien Pilipinas); Evangelical Lutheran Kirche Bayern, Germany; Erik Vargas; Eusebio Family; EWJC; Ferdinand Cabanero; Finn Church Aid; Franciso Homes United Methodist Church; Frangeli House; Franz Genine Mondragon; Friends of NCCP; Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia; Ghia Cruz; Gia Santos-Lim; Grace Robles; Glenford Gumban; Go Explore the Outdoors (GEO); HEKS-Switzerland; Herbert Sanchez; Holy Child St. Martin Episcopal; Hong Kong Christian Council; Hungarian Interchurch Aid; I-Bridge Systems Philippines, Inc.; ICCO & Kerk in Actie; Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas; IEMELIF Cathedral School; IEMELIF District II East Bulacan; IEMELIF District II West; IEMELIF District III-North East; Immanuel Baptist Church; Ismael Fisco & Shiela Marie Cortez; Ivana G. Manalo; Jamaica Roman; Jeddiah Kaye Valencia; Jimmy Mariano; Jing Patacsil; Joey Aquino; Jose Cortina; Joshua Hesed G. Crismo; Jude Roman; Kapalangan Farmers in Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Krizzia Larrine S. Sala; Lalaine Camaddo; Larry Millan; Lend a Hand, Pamplonenos Way of Helping; Leslie Pingol; Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc.; Lutheran World Federation; Lutheran World Relief, USA; Magadla Family; Maloy Macaraig; Manitoba Council for International Cooperation; Marian Berma; Marinete dela Cruz; Maya Cortina; Melissa Pineda & Timothy Parham (BAYAN USA); Methodist Relief & Development Fund-UK; Meredel R. Arciaga; Michelle dela Cruz; Migrante International from Brgy. 836 Pandacan, Manila; Migrante International & Anakbayan in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan Chapter; Moriela; McDonald's – EDSA, Panay; NCCP Staff Worship; NCCP-Executive Committee Members; National Christian Council in Japan; National Council of ChurchesKorea; National Council of Churches-Sri Lanka; Nancy Palpara; N'cois Cabanero; Norwegian Church Aid; Norwegian Mission Alliance, Philippines; Odette Franciso; 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 High School of Manila; Philogioscientia, the UPLB Science Society; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; Presbyterian World Service, Canada; Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, Canada; Princess S. Soliven; Prorestantse Kerk Heemstede; Quennie Candy Ngileb; Rakuno Gakuen University; Reena Monalie Ramos; Reishy Terciano; Restore Outdoor Club; Rogime Fajutagana; Rosechell Gamir; Rowena S. Reyes; R356 Company; Ronald Uy; St. Albans Uniting Church; Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish-Kamuning; St. Mary's Nagasaka; SAMAGKA, Inc.; Samahan ng mga Magkakaibigan; Salumi Efrem Malaki; Samaritana Transformation Ministries, Inc.; Sandelin Felix; San Lorenzo Episcopal Church Toronto Canada; Sapang Palay, Christian Heights & UCCP-SLJ, MLJ, NLJ Ordination Candidates; Soledad Nieto; Spurgfun School Foundation, Inc.; Stephanie Velasco; Tandang Sora IEMELIF Church; Taro Aihara; Task Force Urban Conscientization-Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines; The Presbyterian Church of Korea; TSA Caloocan Corp.; Thessa Conanan; Thursday Group; Travis Gonayon; United Church of Canada; UCC-Japan; United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Crame; UCCPManila Central Church of Christ Disciples; UCCP-Tondo Evangelical Church; United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; Uniting World, Australia; United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); VCS South Luzon Participants; VCS Visayas Participants; Vernise Marie Furto; Vhona Caling; Wider Church Ministries; Y CARE International.
And thank you all who in one way or another have helped.
REFLECTION FROM A STAFF MEMBER
“We understand more when we are one with the people” Bong Dalisay, 28, started working for NCCP as a volunteer right after typhoon Haiyan. The work changed the course of his life. The beginning was not easy. “When I went to Samar, the first challenge I experienced was alienation. I grew up speaking Tagalog and all of a sudden, I was with people speaking a whole new different language, Waray-waray or Bisaya”, Bong Dalisay says, adding that he felt useless at times. However, Dalisay quickly discovered that despite the language differences, he loved the work and he loved being with the people in the communities NCCP assists. The five days he was going to spend in Samar turned into six months. He was also promoted to work as field assistant.
religion won't matter in a disaster. I appreciate in our response, that regardless of your affiliation, political ideology or your religious representation, you will receive assistance from the NCCP. Religion won't matter but your being human in this kind of work matters.” He says his faith as of today is: if God created mankind in his own image, then wouldn't it bring insult to the perfect God when he sees poverty, homelessness, hunger, illiteracy. If he is perfect, these things should not exist. We are the representation of God and of Jesus in our world. “Now, I do not know what separates spirituality from material or physical, because every time I see people being fed, I feel spiritually nourished. Every time I see people who make you smile, I feel spiritually blessed.”
Bong Dalisay feels he has learned a lot through humanitarian work. “I now understand that helping people is never simple”, he says. He has also understood the power of trust and solidarity. If you're going to integrate in the communities, you should always bring and give trust with the people. If you lose that trust, your objectivity and compassion will be affected. “NCCP community organizers really integrate with the people. We understand more when we are one with the people, because we know where they are coming from.” Dalisay adds he is thankful to be part of a team which does not promote only charity but justice. ”Charity is giving food to the hungry, but when we begin to ask why you are hungry and fight for the reasons, that is justice.” “My background is church but I realized that
Bong Dalisay worked with NCCP Tacloban team for six months. His next challenge is a job in Mexico, as a Global Mission Fellow at United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries.
Together we are stronger. National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global humanitarian aid and development coalition of over 140 churches and affiliated organizations. 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 strongly believes that together we can do more than one alone: maximize strength, align expertise and coordinate overall impact. ACT Alliance Haiyan response is active in 108 municipalities and 8 cities in 6 regions reaching an estimated 1 million people. ACT Alliance members in the Philippines offer a sustainable, comprehensive set of localized and needs-based interventions, meeting communities' needs for food, water, shelter, sanitation, physical and mental health, and building capacity for a stable economic recovery and disaster risk reduction. Recognizing the community's pre-existing coping mechanisms, strategies and capital, all ACT Alliance interventions are planned and executed in close cooperation with the local government and the community as a whole. ACT member organizations work in close cooperation with UN agencies, with their projects registered in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) online system. What we do: · Food security and livelihoods · Shelter · WASH, sanitation and hygiene · Education · Community-based psychosocial support · Disaster Risk Reduction · Legal documentation and advice · Quality and Accountability training for organizations There are altogether 13 ACT member organizations working in the Philippines, and 30 members including their back donors and 5 external organizations have supported ACT's Haiyan response.
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
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