If another typhoon hits...

‘If another typhoon hits, we are better prepared’

In November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Visayas in the Philippines. Tearfund and our partners on the islands sprang into action to offer emergency relief to the communities.
Now, two years later thousands of islanders aren’t just back on their feet, they’re more prepared, should another typhoon strike. Here are five reasons why:

1. Safe as houses

Over 3,000 people, carpenters and households, have learned how to make houses more disaster proof. There are simple and affordable ways to make a house so much more resilient, like putting bracing between the strongest points of the house or altering the shape of the roof and nailing it down.

2. Disaster drills

Nearly 120,000 people have been trained in disaster preparedness, community by community. If a typhoon was about to strike, these communities would know where to go, what hazards to avoid and have disaster kits at the ready to take with them.

3. Safe centres

21 robust day care centres have been built, where children can play and learn safely again. When another storm comes communities can take shelter there.

4. Something for a rainy day...

Many households in the Visayas had no savings and certainly no insurance, living day-to-day. So when disaster struck, they had no financial means to put themselves back on their feet. 3,000 households who lost their source of income have been able to kick start their businesses through cash grants. Now many of the communities have started their own savings groups and are more prepared thanks to a series of training courses including how to run a business successfully and how to make use of banks.

5. Pulling together

When Typhoon Haiyan came, many pastors, leaders and volunteer groups sprang into action. With the help of Tearfund partners, the groups and individuals saw each other’s work and learned to work together in a coordinated fashion. If another disaster strikes, they will be ready to leap into action… as a team.