Consolidated DREAM Update No. 6
November 25-30, 2013
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Prior to Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan
When Tropical Storm Sending/Washi, in December 2011, brought massive floods in the riverside barangays of Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and some in Bukidnon, Balay Mindanaw was deeply moved to respond and became involved in emergency assistance. Being serious to take part in building resiliency, this task became part of Balay Mindanaw’s regular peace and development work.
Over a thousand dead and thousands more injured while homes were damaged, including those staff members of Balay Mindanaw Group who were affected by the flood. Realizing the massive destruction that happened directly right at its base, Balay Mindanaw decided to take part in relief operations, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness towards resiliency building. With the support of friends and donors, it adopted several barangays and relocation sites in Cagayan de Oro City, making the community-based and collaborative approaches possible in its disaster response initiative until now.
In the aftermath of the Tropical Storm Pablo/Bopha in Decemebr 2012, Balay Mindanaw again considered focusing in one worst-hit barangay in Baganga, Davao Oriental and in Sta. Josefa, Agusan Sur. With the even more massive devastation brought about by the typhoon, Balay Mindanaw pursued not just relief distribution but also psychosocial development, reconstruction and socio economic development. Soon Balay Mindanaw called our new initiative, the Disaster Response, Risk-Reduction and Management, Emergency Assistance Mission or what it now calls the DREAM Program.
In other partner barangays of Balay Mindanaw, where armed conflicts still prevail, Balay Mindanaw have also sent relief goods for those affected by the man-made and natural disaster in Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato and Maguindanao, and in Zamboanga City with the latest siege.
Recently, Balay Mindanaw also made relief operations following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit first and foremost Bohol in October 15, 2013. Balay Mindanaw decided to focus in 2 barangays after an actual assessment on the ground, in collaboration with local government and non-government agencies as well as international groups and donors.
The barangay or community-based approach has been very helpful in ensuring resiliency, community cooperation and empowerment. This approach brings about the understanding of refusing to be dependent on what is only given, remaining to be victims but choosing instead to survive and be a resource of strength and courage to rebuild their lives as a family and as a community.
The Aftermath of Yolanda/Haiyan
Now with the grave aftermath of the typhoon, magnitude of destruction, displacements and death brought about by Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in the Visayas in November 8, 2013, Balay Mindanaw is once again responding and mobilizing other resources for support. From its on-the-ground assessment and planning, it opted to focus in Leyte and Panay Provinces. Teams were sent to each of the provinces and organized the first wave of relief operations and medical assistance in barangays and evacuation centers in Ormoc, Leyte and in coastal communities in President Roxas , Capiz. A total of 2,009 relief food packs and water were provided to these unserved barangays.
Three weeks after the first wave of relief operations, a re-examination of the damages and of people affected, the teams had set up its temporary operation centers in Ormoc and Iloilo. Overwhelming local and international resources came at the onset and are still coming with actual volunteers and materials like medicines, wheelchairs, tents and shelter kits, etc.
With clearer community needs as well as enough resources committed, Balay Mindanaw sets out its next waves of relief operation, with more food packs including water as basic need, hygiene kits and shelter repair kits and temporary shelters, assistance in rebuilding houses, livelihood and community centers like health centers and schools.
Here is the list of areas being served by Balay Mindanaw DREAM as of November 30, 2013:
- Leyte
- Barangay San Juan, Ormoc (focus)
- Medical Services in Barangays Liloan, Lao, Linao, Naungan and Nadungholan and 2 evacuation centers (Ormoc Central Elementary School and Linao Elementary School)
- Merida (Barangay Puertobello) and Albuera (Barangay Tagbas) – assessment ongoing
- Capiz
- Barangays in President Roxas: Madulano, Marita, Goce, Sangkal, Pandan, Pinamihagan
- Barangays in Tapaz: Artuz, Agcococ, Aglinab, Abangay, Katipunan
- Iloilo
- Barangays in Estancia: Bayas and Manipolon (For consideration: Jolog)
- Barangay San Isidro – assessment ongoing
RESOURCES MOBILIZED AND UTILIZED
- Disaster Aid International – Disaster Aid Response Team (DART) headed by Ed Cox
- PRWorks Doris Mongaya – logistics hub in Cebu
- 2GO Freight Services for relief goods– free container van and shipment Cebu to Ormoc
- Talisay Malayan Academy – student-volunteers for the repacking of relief goods
- Dr. Cagape and Dr. De Jesus – Provincial Govt of Sarangani
- Phil. Nurses Association of CDO – 10 volunteer-nurses for Ormoc
- Judge Azon Llanderal and Family (Peso 10,000)
- Nina Martinez and Friends
- Reggie and Luz Villasanta
- Julla Palacpac and Friends (Eur 5,000)
- Cindy Maya and Noel Vergara with the Philippine Aid Team in Ireland
- Ramon Ramiro and Family (P10,000)
- The Johannitter – Germany (EUR 300,000)
- JIN Corporation – Japan (YPY 100,000)
- Marc Tagub and Friends in Australia
- Doughtery Foundation – Filipino Women’s Council – Italy – c/o Charito Basa
- Cindy Maya Vergara and Philippine Aid Team- Ireland
- Disaster Management Community of Reconciliation (DM-CoR) – volunteers for relief operation center in Iloilo
- Medical and Emergency Response Team (MERT) of Johanniter-Germany
- 3rd Infantry Division, PA – MGen. Aurelio Baladad – Panay Island – transportation (military truck) and manpower
- Visayas VOICE Network (P10,000)
- Mariza Dacuron and the Masters of Public Health Class- United Kingdom
- Inaki Larrazabal – accommodation and facilitation of team’s assessment of Ormoc
- JVP Alumni: Atty. Nolito and Jen Quilang – ground volunteers who connected us with LGU and Yol Resource Net. They were also by our side during visits to evacuation centers and barangay consultations.
- Msgr. Dido Arroyo of Fatima Vicariate – lent transportation and helped assess barangays Cogon, Mergen, Liloan, Curva and Merida.
- Action Aid
- Pag-Laum Multi-Purpose Cooperative – P40,000.00
- JBrothers Reloaded –P5,000.00 cash donation
- Edwin Castejon and Bobby Jasareno – P8,000.00 cash donation
- Pahinungod and UP Iloilo –VOICE Network members in Iloilo – local volunteers and logistics support
- Concepcion Family – use of Concepcion Chalet as the Operation Center of Balay Mindanaw DREAM Team Panay
- 200 bulbs and 300 water purifier – One Million Lights Foundation
- 50 Wheelchairs – Johanniter from Germany
- financial support to additional areas of assistance in Leyte and Panay – ACTION AID
- Oona Paredes – P30,000
- Gerry Bulatao – P10,000
- Villasanta-Samillano Family – P10,000
- Anonymous – P20,000
- Jovy Hare and Filipinos in Alberta, Canada
- One million lights foundation – solutions using renewable energy