With a new round of large-scale emergency relief cash distributions in Palo and Tanauan, on January 20-21, 2014, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation exceeded PHP 1 billion (US$ 22,000,000) in material aid to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) survivors on the Filipino island of Leyte. With this milestone, the Taiwan-based charity had distributed cash assistance of 8000, 12000 or 15000 pesos (depending on family size) and other relief goods to over 64,000 families in the municipalities of Tacloban, Ormoc, Palo, Tanauan and Tunga.
Volunteers and medical professionals from the Tzu Chi Foundation arrived in Leyte on November 13, 2013, within days after the landfall of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The volunteers quickly organized free clinics and cash assistance distributions to 9,700 families, allowing disaster survivors to rebuild their badly damaged homes. On November 15, the volunteers were able to reach Tacloban, where they started a large-scale cash-for-work program to aid the local residents in cleaning up the thousands of tons of debris created by the typhoon. At its peak, the program had over 31,000 participants per day. The program, which lasted from November 20 to December 8, provided 500 pesos per person and day for a total of 289,000 day shifts.
With the aim of providing a starting capital for disaster survivors to rebuild their lives, Tzu Chi conducted a series of cash relief distributions in December 2013, benefiting 37,800 families from 136 barangays in the city of Tacloban, as well as nearly 1,800 families in the town of Tunga. On January 20-21, 2014, a series of distributions benefited an additional 11,000 families in the hard-hit cities of Palo and Tanauan. Besides cash assistance, the relief also included Tzu Chi’s eco-blankets made from 100% recycled PET bottles.
For Irene Creado, whose family was given P15,000 worth of financial assistance, the group’s arrival in their area brought hope to see the hard times through. “If Tzu Chi was not here, we would not know how we will ever recover. Thank you very much for the help you’ve given to people here in Tacloban City.” With the help of the cash-for-work program in November, Creado was able to open a small variety store. “Were it not for Tzu Chi, we probably couldn’t eat three times a day, and Tacloban’s economy would not have been revived,” she says.
Besides the cash-for-work and cash relief programs, to date, the Tzu Chi Foundation’s relief activities in the province of Leyte, Philippines, have also included free clinic services to 8,700 patients, 428,000 portions of hot food to typhoon survivors, and the construction of 128 temporary classrooms. Each classroom can serve classes with up to 75 students, and has a lifespan of 3-5 years.
As the emergency phase of the Haiyan relief draws to a close, the Tzu Chi Foundation is now preparing for its mid- and longterm relief efforts, which will include construction of permanent housing, rebuilding schools, and helping in the reconstruction and repair of churches in the most affected areas.
Disclaimer
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
- Copyright ©Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. All Rights Reserved