ACTED Continues Aid in Wake of Typhoon Hagupit
On November 8, 2013, the strongest storm ever to make landfall hit nine regions of the Philippines, leaving upwards of 11 million people to suffer in its wake.
Typhoon Haiyan was underestimated by both local and national officials and wound up decimating numerous cities, equipped with a low number of emergency supplies and a general lack of planning. For nearly 24 hours, officials in the city of Tacloban had no way to even call for help. Though the strength of the storm was grossly underestimated, neighboring nations still kept out a watchful eye, and once word got out from the regions most affected, emergency relief efforts came rushing to provide aid for those affected.
The Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) had an immediate response being reactive on the ground two days post-typhoon with three bases in Northern Leyte, Eastern Samar and Davao. It was one of the first NGOs in Guiuan to meet emergency needs for those affected. Since the disaster, ACTED has continued to focus on community-led recovery and development by responding to two major needs: water hygiene and sanitation access and housing reconstruction.
ACTED provides the following data on the work they have been engaged in throughout the past year:
- Water: 30,000 people have improved access to safe water.
- Sanitation: 30,000 people have improved access to adequate sanitation services and facilities.
- Information: 42,286 people participated in information sessions to prevent water-related diseases and hygiene promotion activities.
- Healthy schools: 4,633 children have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in their learning environment; they also participated in hygiene promotion sessions.
In addition, ACTED has joined efforts with ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity, to support 300 families in rebuilding their homes, providing housing material, training local carpenters and mobilizing communities to build houses using safer techniques. Thus far, 71 households received shelter materials, 841 people attended workshops and 30 carpenters were trained.
Typhoon Haiyan left millions of people displaced in the aftermath of a disaster. A year later, families continue to struggle to rebuild their lives even with the aid of others.
And when Typhoon Hagupit hit, ACTED was ready for a quick response.
After the first sign of its arrival, ACTED teams took every measure to be prepared in responding to emergency needs, stocking on food, water, fuel, petrol and other essential items. They also set up evacuation centers with food and access to toilets at the ready.
As a result of the advanced planning, thousands of people were evacuated to safe places like schools, but Typhoon Hagupit nevertheless brought about disaster to homes and even to areas that still haven’t recovered from the previous typhoon only a year ago.
In the immediate aftermath of both Typhoon Haiyan and Typhoon Hagupit, ACTED teams have positioned themselves across the country to access the extent of the damage and the type of response that will need to be carried out to support locals in rebuilding their lives. Currently, they are bringing sustainable efforts, such as building the capacity of farmers, supporting farmers’ organizations and facilitating linkages with markets.
ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, wars, economic and social crises, and more. They are committed to addressing the needs across the globe with a multidisciplinary approach that can be adapted to any context. Implementing about 260 programs per year, ACTED seeks to cover the multiple aspects of humanitarian and development crises in the following fields: emergency relief, food security, health promotion, education and training, economic development, microfinance, advocacy and institutional support, and cultural promotion.
Their work is quietly, yet effectively accomplishing UN Millennium Development Goals in these days of crisis in the Philippines.
– Chelsee Yee
