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Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger

PROMOTING CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND HYGIENE DURING EMERGENCIES

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Barangay Catanusan, located in Minalabac—one of the three poorest areas in the province—was severely affected by flooding when Tropical Storm Kristine passed through, followed by five other storms. The residents faced tremendous hardship as the rising waters endangered lives, and even now, the community continues to struggle with the aftermath. Homes, livelihoods, and essential services, including daycare centers, were submerged. UNICEF, Action Against Hunger, and the Center for Disaster Preparedness, with support from the UN Central Emergency Fund, are working closely with parents and teachers to ensure that children receive vital hygiene education.

CAMARINES SUR ─ During the storm surge, Barangay Catanusan in the Municipality of Minalabac was heavily impacted. “Our barangay is located in a low-lying area. Due to our geography, we serve as a catch basin for Minalabac. When it rains for three days, we are already flooded,” shared Melinda Nalzaro, a daycare center teacher in the community.

Between October and November 2024, no less than six storms hit the region, bringing heavy rainfall to Barangay Catanusan and leaving homes, livelihoods, services, and residents devastated. The daycare center, located just two meters from the Bicol River, was also severely impacted by the flooding.

In photo: Elna Quirante, a 29-year-old mother whose child attends the daycare center in Barangay Catanusan, shares her experience during the flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

For instance, Elna Quirante, a 29-year-old mother whose child attends the daycare center, did not evacuate on October 21, initially thinking it would just be a mild storm. The following evening, floodwaters had already entered their home, forcing them to seek higher ground. For two nights, they sheltered on their roof, surrounded by water more than two meters deep. On October 24, rescuers arrived and evacuated them to a relative’s house for seven days.

In photo: Melinda Nalzaro, a teacher at the daycare center in Catanusan, shares how she braved the floodwaters to save equipment and materials from the daycare. (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

The Catanusan Daycare Center, one of the registered evacuation centers, sheltered eight families. However, floodwater quickly rose to about six feet. The rapid increase in water levels prompted an immediate evacuation. “The current was strong, so I prioritized getting the pregnant women and persons with disabilities to safety first. It was terrifying because it took about eight to ten people to push the boat against the strong current,” Melinda recalled.

The next day, despite the flooding, Melinda returned alone to the daycare to rescue their belongings. “I tried to save whatever I could, placing the freezer on a table to prevent damage. Unfortunately, I ended up with body pains from all the heavy lifting. I managed to retrieve my laptop, but it no longer works. I also secured important documents for child development workers, though most of the folders and records were damaged or lost in the flood,” she said.

As she made her way back, the water level had risen even higher. “The flood was already chest-deep. I slipped and nearly drowned, but thankfully, a man nearby saw me and pulled me out,” she recalled.

While Melinda talks about her experience, Elna shares how the disaster took a toll on their emotional well-being. “The flood left not only physical damage but also deep emotional trauma. Since then, every storm warning prompts my family to evacuate immediately, fearing a repeat of the disaster.”

To mitigate the impact on children, Melinda incorporated disaster awareness into her teaching. “At the daycare, I always prepare books about calamities. Whenever there’s a storm or flood, I do storytelling sessions to help ease the children’s fears and prevent them from becoming too traumatized.”

Despite these challenges, they continue to support the children, helping them feel safe and secure in the face of uncertainty

Support for Health and Hygiene During Emergencies

 

To ensure the health and hygiene of children and their families during emergencies, Action Against Hunger’s team is actively engaging with the youngest members of the community, providing essential hygiene education.

As part of the Emergency Response to Multi-Storms Project supported by UNICEF, children from the Catanusan Daycare Center participated in an interactive session on February 4, focusing on key hygiene habits such as proper handwashing and toothbrushing to prevent waterborne diseases.

In photo: Children of the daycare center learning the importance of proper hygiene practices (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

In photo: Children of the daycare center learning the importance of proper hygiene practices (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

The recent floods severely impacted access to clean water, damaging the daycare center’s electric water pump—the main source of drinking and cooking water. At the same time, families are now forced to buy bottled water, adding to their financial strain. For families like Elna’s, who were already struggling to meet basic needs before the storms, the situation has become even harder. The added expense of purchasing clean water to avoid contamination-related illnesses costs her family around 280 pesos per month.

Without a reliable water source, children face a higher risk of waterborne diseases. In this context, hygiene promotion activities are more critical than ever. Our efforts not only help prevent illnesses in the immediate aftermath of the storm but also contribute to long-term health and well-being, reinforcing positive hygiene habits that will benefit the community for years to come.

With the support of the United Nations Central Emergency Fund and together with UNICEF, and the Center for Disaster Preparedness, each child received a hygiene kit containing soap, a reusable water bottle, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, equipping them with essential tools to maintain proper hygiene despite the challenges.

In photo: Melinda Nalzaro, with the children of the daycare center after they received the hygiene kits. (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

Melinda emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Action Against Hunger’s activities, with UNICEF’s support, are a huge help. They teach children proper hygiene practices, such as daily toothbrushing drills, so these habits become routine. The children are aware of these practices, but parents, especially those with infants, sometimes forget to remind them.”

Ensuring that children learn, and practice proper hygiene remains essential in preventing disease and safeguarding community health. The stories of Elna and Melinda reflect the importance of timely humanitarian aid in disaster recovery. While recovery takes time, sustained support from Action Against Hunger teams on the ground remains crucial in helping communities like Barangay Catanusan rebuild stronger and be better prepared for future disasters.

Aside from UNICEF’s WASH support, Elna’s family also received cash assistance from Action Against Hunger’s emergency response focused on food security and livelihoods, totaling 9,000 pesos for food and essentials during a period of lost income.

From hygiene promotion to cash assistance, humanitarian assistance continues to play a crucial role in helping survivors rebuild their lives.

 

 

Written by: Alexane Simon
Contributor: Lileth Lascano and Joyce Anne Sandajan 

 

Alexane Simon

HOLDING ON: ANTONIO’S FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL AND HOPE

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At the last quarter of 2024, a wave of storms ravaged the Philippines, particularly affecting the Bicol region. The disaster left communities devasted, with thousands of families displaced for weeks. One of the hardest hits was in the Province of Camarines Sur, where unprecedented flooding left residents struggling to survive. Antonio Fernando, a 60-year-old paralytic, found himself stranded as floodwaters rose above six feet, overtaking his home and nearly his life. Nearly four months after the disasters, Action Against Hunger, with support of  the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) continue to support survivors like Antonio through cash-for-food assistance. 

In a span of only a month, from October to November 2024, the Bicol region, particularly Camarines Sur, endured the devastating impact of six consecutive storms, the most destructive being Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Pepito. While the region is no stranger to typhoons and flooding, residents had not witnessed floods of this magnitude in over 30 years. 

In some municipalities, floodwaters rose to more than six feet—exceeding the height of an average person—submerging homes and forcing residents to seek safety under desperate conditions. 

One of the hardest-hit municipalities was Minalabac, where the devastation was not only due to the strength of the torrential rains but also its proximity to the Bicol River, which overflowed and unleashed powerful flood waves. In this area, floodwaters reached rooftops, leaving residents with no choice but to fight for survival. 

Among the survivors of this disaster is Antonio Fernando, a 60-year-old man from Barangay Bagombong who lives with paralysis due to polio. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, survival, and the impact of humanitarian assistance. 

A NIGHTMARE UNFOLDS 

On October 23, as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine battered the region, Antonio found himself trapped inside his home. When a flood alert was issued in anticipation of rising waters, his wife was evacuated to the barangay’s designated evacuation center in Bagongbong, Minalabac. Antonio, however, chose to stay behind, unable to imagine that the water would rise so high—something that had not happened in over 30 years. 

Soon, he found himself alone, struggling to escape, and fighting for his life as floodwaters rapidly engulfed his home. As the water surged, he realized the gravity of the situation. Summoning all his strength, he broke a window and managed to climb onto the roof—his only chance of survival. 

“Sinikap ko po talaga makaakyat sa bubong habang tumataas at malakas agos ng tubig.” – Antonio Fernando

“I tried my best to climb the rooftop while the water was rising rapidly.”

For days, he was stranded on his rooftop and waiting to be rescued. He fought for his life, enduring the fear of drowning, exhaustion, and isolation. Through it all, and according to him, his will to survive and his wish to see his wife again gave him the strength to hold on despite all the difficulties of survival and his condition. Rescue came after a few days when the water started to subside. 

OUR ACTIONS 

In photo : Delivery truck for the ECHO-funded ACCESS Severe Tropical Storm Kristine Rapid Response making its way through flooded waters in Camarines Sur just days after the flooding started. (Photo by Brian Enriquez for Action Against Hunger)

In photo: The Action Against Hunger team, together with members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of the Municipality of Minalabac, transport emergency hygiene and water kits via boat to an evacuation center hosting 20 displaced families in Minalabac, Camarines Sur. (Photo by Brian Kae Enriquez for Action Against Hunger)

 

Following the storm, Action Against Hunger’s Mission Emergency Response Team (MERT) was on the ground, responding to the immediate needs of affected communities in Camarines Sur. In the initial phase of the emergency response, our team activated a rapid response mechanism through the ECHO-funded ACCESS consortium project and in less than 48 hours of the flooding, we were able to provide essential water and hygiene kits to displaced families in Camarines Sur. 

In photo: A farmer from Minalabac, Camarines Sur, receives cash assistance to help recover from the devastating floods brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Through the ACCESS project, families affected by the disaster can meet their urgent food needs and work toward rebuilding their livelihoods. (Photo by Blanche Cordero for Action Against Hunger)

Since then, Action Against Hunger has continued to support survivors like Antonio through the ACCESS project, providing cash-for-food assistance to help meet essential nutritional needs in this time of crisis. The cash assistance is expected to ensure a daily intake of 2,100 kcal per person for 30 days. Antonio’s family received around 9,000 pesos by December 2024, just in time for the holidays.

“We are so thankful for the help extended to us by the Action Against Hunger and ECHO for this financial assistance. We were able to celebrate Christmas season with a smile and hope that there are still people who care for us. Thank you so much!” – Antonio Fernando 

This support provided Antonio’s family with much-needed relief, helping them meet their basic needs and regain a sense of stability during the holiday season. 

REBUILDING LIVES, RESTORING DIGNITY 

In photo : Antonio shares his story to the Action Against Hunger Team during a visit to his community in February 2025. (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

Despite the challenges he faced, Antonio remains grateful—not just for surviving the storm but for the compassion and support that helped him and his family move forward. 

“Buti po andyan ang Action Against Hunger na tumutulong  sa katulad naming [nangangailangan].”  – Antonio Fernando

“It’s good that Action Against Hunger is there to help people [in need] like us.”

Still marked by this traumatic experience, Antonio admits that he now has a lingering fear of floods. However, with resilience, he hopes to return to farming and continue leading a simple life, making the most of the resources available after the disaster. Above everything, Antonio shares his gratitude in the support they’ve been receiving, “simpleng buhay lang po kami, kung ano dumating, pasalamat nalang kami.” (“We live a simple life, and we’re grateful for whatever comes our way.”) 

Antonio’s story is just one among many in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. It highlights the urgent need for both rapid emergency response and sustained recovery efforts to help vulnerable communities rebuild their lives. The dedication of Action Against Hunger’s team on the ground continues to play a vital role in ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis. 

 

 

With funding from the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid, the ACCESS Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) Emergency Response is implemented by ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, Humanity and Inclusion Philippines, Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, and Simon of Cyrene Community Rehabilitation and Development Foundation in the provinces of Albay, Batangas, and Camarines Sur. 

 

 

 

Written by: Alexane Simon, Communication Officer 
Contributor: Francy Templo 

 

WATER, HYGIENE, AND HOPE: SUPPORTING NANAY CARMEN AFTER THE FLOOD

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When Typhoon Kristine (Severe Tropical Storm Trami) struck Barobaybay, Camarines Sur, 76-year-old Nanay Carmen faced rising floodwaters, putting her already fragile health at risk. Like many vulnerable individuals, she struggled with limited access to clean water and basic hygiene products. Thanks to our intervention, with the support of UNICEF, we provided her with essential hygiene and water kits, allowing her to regain a sense of comfort and dignity. Discover her story…

 

Rising waters and anxiety

On the evening of October 20, 2024, 76-year-old Carmen C. Panuelos—known in her community as Nanay Carmen—felt anxious as heavy rains from Typhoon Kristine (known internationally as Severe Tropical Storm Trami) began flooding her neighborhood in Barobaybay, Bicol, Camarines Sur. The swelling Bicol River isolated the entire community for five days, making it too dangerous to seek help in neighboring areas.

Nanay Carmen, who has lived with high blood pressure, arthritis, and an untreated goiter for 30 years, stayed awake all night, worried about the rising waters surrounding her home. By 9:00 AM the next morning, October 21, 2024, the floodwaters had risen to chest height, forcing her to evacuate. With the support of barangay officials, she and her granddaughter, Elma, were transported by boat to the barangay hall, which served as an evacuation center.

Challenges in the Evacuation Center

The evacuation center, though a refuge, presented its own challenges. The cold, crowded conditions and lack of sanitation facilities strained Nanay Carmen’s health. By October 22, she developed a fever, and barangay health workers attended to her immediately. With shared, poorly equipped bathrooms and limited water supply, she struggled to meet her basic hygiene needs. Often, she avoided using the bathroom due to her mobility limitations and the lack of privacy. Unable to bathe, she felt uncomfortable and longed for her home, where she could restore some normalcy.

The long road to recovery

Food shortages added to her struggles, leaving her hungry and yearning to cook her own meals. By October 24, Nanay Carmen returned home, navigating knee-high floodwaters to find comfort in her familiar surroundings. However, she has since battled a persistent cough and cold, and her anxiety spikes whenever it rains heavily.
Nanay Carmen, a widow, lives with her 40-year-old son, her primary source of support. However, her son recently lost his job due to the typhoon’s impact, further straining their already limited financial resources. Together, they face daily challenges, especially in addressing Nanay Carmen’s health and hygiene needs.

Assistance through hygiene and water kits

On November 2, 2024, Nanay Carmen received hygiene and water kits from Action Against Hunger and UNICEF, with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for the first time. The kits contained essential items such as soap, laundry detergent, and water storage containers, which were otherwise unaffordable on her limited budget. These supplies enabled her to bathe, do laundry, and store water, addressing long-neglected needs.

Accompanying hygiene promotion sessions were equally impactful, helping Nanay Carmen understand the importance of proper hygiene practices for health and well-being. She shared her gratitude, saying, “Maraming salamat sa Action Against Hunger at UNICEF sa hygiene and water kits. Dahil sa kakulangan ng budget, hindi namin ito nabibili, kaya malaking tulong ito sa amin. Nabigyan ako ng pag-asa dahil sa malaking tulong ninyo.”

“Thank you to Action Against Hunger and UNICEF for the hygiene and water kits. Due to our limited budget, we can’t usually afford them, so this is a big help to us. Your support has given me hope.”

Nanay Carmen received essential hygiene and water kits.

Through the hygiene and water kits, Nanay Carmen regained the ability to care for herself and her surroundings. Despite her ongoing challenges, she is determined to apply what she learned about hygiene, improving her self-care while moving forward with renewed hope.

 

To know more about our emergency response : click here

 

 

Prepared by: Michelle D. Labay, MEAL Officer
Contributor: Mirriam Solleza, WASH Cluster Information Manager
Edited by: Joyce Sandajan, Communications Manager

 

Siargao Farmers Trained on Good Agricultural Practices and Organic Farming

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Farmers affected by Typhoon Odette attended a farmer training on Good Agricultural Practices and Organic farming in the municipalities of San Benito and Burgos on the island of Siargao, Surigao del Norte last December 2022.

The training is facilitated by trainers from the Rice Specialists Training Course (RSCT). The participants from barangays Orok and Talisay learn approaches on how to rebuild their agricultural livelihoods and increase their farm yields through sustainable and safe methods.

Among other things, they learn about the importance of intercropping and how to make and apply organic fertilizers and pesticides. They also learned how to transfer their newfound knowledge to others.

After the training, they will facilitate sharing what they learned with other farmers in their communities.

Photos by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | December 2022, Siargao, Surigao del Norte

The livelihood support is part of the second phase of the project ‘‘Emergency Assistance to Support Local Recovery Capacity of Families and Communities Affected by Typhoon Odette’, funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) and jointly implemented by Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, and ACCORD Incorporated.

Written by Arianne Gijsenbergh Read more

Restoring the Rice Fields After Typhoon Odette

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CAPALAYAN, SURIGAO CITY — Erna Crisologo, 35, is proud to be a rice farmer. Growing up in a family of rice farmers she has lived in the middle of the rice fields her whole life. Besides the rice field bordering their home, Erna and her husband Ruben Cabalan, 35, also own a small coconut plantation higher up the mountain.

The rice paddy near Erna and Ruben’s home. (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

In December 2021, Typhoon Odette raged across the Philippines leaving a trail of destruction along its path. Erna and Ruben’s home in barangay Capalayan, a rural area on the outskirts of Surigao City, was completely washed away, along with their rice plants and coconut trees.

Erna joined the livelihood training sessions and received cash assistance to restore her family’s livelihood. This was part of the Typhoon Odette Emergency Response implemented by Action Against Hunger in the province of Surigao del Norte with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA),

“Our rice plants were totally washed away, our coconut trees damaged. We had no more source of income, no source of food.”

In the aftermath of the typhoon, Erna, Ruben, and their daughter Shekanaiah, 8, found shelter in the school nearby. The school functioned as an evacuation center. The first days after the storm, the situation was dire. The center was overcrowded and the families were hungry. It took almost a week for food supplies and other relief goods to arrive because the roads were unpassable.

With no home to return to, Erna and her family stayed in the evacuation center for 2 months. “I was very stressed that time due to our situation,” recalls Erna, “Our rice plants were totally washed away, and our coconut trees damaged. We had no more source of income, no source of food.”

Erna cries as she recalls their experience during and after Typhoon Odette (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

Erna was heavily pregnant with a second child, which was due in February. Sadly, the stress took a toll on her body. On January 23 Erna had a miscarriage. “My baby is over there,” says Erna through her tears, pointing at a small grave next to the rice field. “That’s where we buried him. A boy. We named him Anton.”

Thankfully, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Erna’s family received donated housing materials, which they combined with leftover planks from their old house to build a new home.

The newly-repaired home of Erna and her family. (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

Once her family had a roof over their heads again, Erna and other typhoon-affected farmers in barangay Capalayan attended a training on good agricultural practices and organic vegetable production, organized by Action Against Hunger. Erna learned how to make and apply organic insecticide and fertilizer and how to improve their dyke construction. “Before we were making our dykes larger and higher,” explains Erna, “but the trainer told us that if you make the dyke too big, it will attract mice who will make it their home. It should be like this, just high enough to prevent the water and fertilizer from flowing away.”

Erna also joined a training on financial literacy and wrote a business plan to access 15,000 pesos cash assistance. She used the funds to buy a tools like sprayer for the organic fertilizer, a shovel, a raincoat, rubber boots, organic rice seeds and to pay for labor costs for land preparation.  “I feel very happy and excited to start planting rice again,” says Erna.

“I learned that it is very important to save so that we will not be hungry if a disaster comes. We are very thankful that Action Against Hunger gave us funds to restart our business. Now we have no debts to repay and we can start saving immediately.”

In addition to the training sessions and cash assistance, Action Against Hunger coordinated with the Philippine Coconut Authority to provide seed nuts to the farmers for restoring their coconut plantations. Erna and the other beneficiaries take turns weeding and watering the seed nuts in the nursery until they are ready for transplanting.

Erna with her fellow co-op members. (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

The project’s livelihood support measures are implemented in cooperation with the local farmer cooperative, where Erna volunteers as finance officer. Her mother was one of the founders.

“My mother’s passion is also my passion: serving our co-farmers. Even though we are poor, we are able to help other people,” says Erna.

Erna at the co-op. (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

Three months after planting, the rice will be ready for harvest. Erna plans to invest some of their earnings in buying pigs as an additional source of income. The family already owns three pigs which Ruben feeds and washes every morning, while Shekanaiah laughs in delight at the sound of their squeals.

Ruben washing the pigs while Shekainah observes. (Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022)

Erna also wants to open a savings account. “I learned that it is very important to save so that we will not be hungry if a disaster comes. We are very thankful that Action Against Hunger gave us funds to restart our business. Now, we have no debts to repay and can start saving immediately.”

The USAID-funded project supports families like Erna’s to recover from disaster and rebuild fulfilling lives. Erna smiles contentedly, “We are doing well now. Not just well, we are doing good.”

Photo by Arianne Gijsenbergh for Action Against Hunger | Surigao City, December 2022

The livelihood support is part of the ‘Emergency Assistance to Support Local Recovery Capacity of Families and Communities Affected by Typhoon Odette’ project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) and jointly implemented by Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, and ACCORD Incorporated.

Written by Arianne Gijsenbergh Read more

Stories from the Field: A Mother’s Fortitude

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Sitting on a bamboo bed inside a makeshift cob hut, five-year-old Zia bugs her lola (grandmother) about her vitamins, telling her that it is time for her to take them. Emma, 63 years old, tells her to wait for a while as she settles to answer questions and share stories about her life and what she experienced when Super Typhoon Odette hit Bohol.

Emma and Zia sit on their bamboo bed inside their makeshift shelter made of leftover materials from their house that was severely damaged by Typhoon Odette.

Emma lives in a small house near a river in Napo, Inabanga, Bohol. The neighborhood remains isolated from the rest of the town’s mainland since it is located on the other side of the riverbanks.

Emma has been Zia’s guardian since birth. She has acted as the mother since her daughter, Zia’s biological mother is working in another province as a house helper and comes home very rarely.

“Ay sukad pa pag gawas, ma’am. Ako na jud nag bantay ug nagpa dako kay nanarbaho pod lage ang ijang inahan sa Cebu. Magpada pod usahay ahong anak, pero gamay ra pod lage kay 5,000 ra man ijang sweldo,” shares Emma.

“I am the one who has been looking after her since she was born because her mother has to work in Cebu. My daughter [Zia’s mother] also sends money but not that much because she only earns 5,000 pesos per month.”

Meanwhile, Emma vividly remembers the terrors she and Zia experienced during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette one early night in December 2021.

“Kusog (ang hangin). Didto mi sa kapelya nanagan oy. Alas syete naman mi namlhin didto, kusog na kaajo ang hangin. Pirte na jud namong likay-likay para di mi maigu sa lubi,” Emma eagerly recalls.

“The wind was very strong. We ran to the chapel. We went there at seven in the evening, the wind was already aggressive at that time. We tried our best to avoid the swaying coconut trees on our way to the chapel,”

Seeking a safer shelter amidst the violent winds and heavy rains, left their small house without anything but Zia. They stayed in the chapel along with the other villagers who were also seeking a more elevated place to avoid the rising water from the river. Two days later, the neighborhood was still flooded after the river overflowed during the typhoon. Emma was able to go back to their place after three days but she went home to almost nothing. Her house was destroyed and everything in and around it was covered with mud.

A few meters from their makeshift house, Emma and Zia pose sit by their soon-to-rise new home which was made possible through the support of the ECHO and Action Against Hunger

Today, no signs of muddy surroundings and damaged infrastructure exist anymore. The only thing that serves as a reminder of the typhoon is the makeshift cob house where they are staying temporarily.

About five meters from the makeshift home stood a newly built house frame with galvanized iron sheets roofing, four big wooden pillars, and coconut lumbers ready for the walling. All of the resources used for building the structure were funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) as part of the Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines project. The material and financial donations, along with the emotional and mental support, made it possible for Emma to start rebuilding their home and their life.

With teary eyes and a shaky voice, Emma expressed her gratitude to the people behind ECHO through the Action Against Hunger team. Right after she saw the damages left by the typhoon, she thought it was already impossible for her to build back their home due to financial incapacity. But through the ECHO Odette Response, she only had to contribute minimally because most of the things she needed to start again were already provided.

“Perteng lipaja namo ma’am oy. Sa katong diha na ang mga hinabang [sa Action Against Hunger  at ECHO], labi na katong para sa shelter, mga kahoy, mga sin. Bisan pa og kato ra, maka barog naman jud mi adto, bahala’g di ka-igu, majo na raman naay ma puno-punoan.” she shares.

“We were very happy when the aid [from Action Against Hunger and ECHO] arrived, especially those for shelter, the wood, the galvanized iron sheets. Even with only those materials, we can already put up our house back. It is already a great starting point.”

Aside from the shelter assistance, Emma received other kinds of assistance from ECHO such as hygiene kits. Six months later, Emma has eventually returned to her almost-normal life producing fiber materials out of raffia palm leaves while taking care of her granddaughter. Emma earns less than 500 pesos a week from cleaning, drying, and scraping raffia fibers and selling them to local native product manufacturers.

Emma prepares raffia fibers to supply for local handicraft producers

While her new home is not fully done yet, Emma and Zia continue to take shelter in the makeshift cob and hope they can finally move into the new house in a few weeks.

Emma’s motherhood has extended to the next generation by taking the role of a mother and guardian to her granddaughter. Being a widow and a senior citizen did not stop her from taking responsibility for her 5-year-old granddaughter not only during disasters but during Zia’s entire life.

Emma gets drinking water for Zia in their makeshift dirty kitchen after her granddaughter took her daily dose of vitamins. 

As Emma finishes sharing her story and answering questions, she gets up to get the vitamins Zia had been bugging about earlier. She lets Zia take it and gives her water to drink after. Zia leaves with a phone her mother lent Emma for communication purposes and starts playing a mobile game.

The Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and jointly implemented by CARE Philippines, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) and Plan International in Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Cebu, in the Philippines.

 Written by Donna Ocmeja | Photos by Donna Ocmeja for Action Against Hunger

Odette Aftermath Snapshot: The Island’s Source of Life

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The island of Ubay can be reached through a 30-minute fuel-powered boat ride from the port of Tubigon. Residents pay 50 pesos for a two-way ride from and to the island.

Ubay, a small island in the town of Tubigon in Bohol, was one of the most devastated communities after the onslaught of Supertyphoon Odette (internationally known as Typhoon Rai). Most of the houses were totally damaged by the typhoon that hit the province in December 2021.

The residents of Ubay are families who depend on the sea to survive. Most of the people on the island are fisherfolks. Unfortunately, it was also the sea that destroyed the island when Typhoon Odette rampaged the province of Bohol. Aside from losing their homes and livelihoods, the disaster also took the lives of two vulnerable members of the community—a newborn baby and an elderly woman.

Through the funding of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai implemented by Action Against Hunger in Bohol provided aid and support in the aftermath of the calamity. Since the residents’ livelihoods were most impacted, the ECHO-funded Typhoon Odette Emergency Response provided interventions to help the fishing community rebuild their main source of living.

Jose Cabarce, a fisherfolk, shows his new fish net he bought using the cash assistance. His wife, Evelyn Cabarce, is inside their home which is right behind Jose.

Reynaldo Zaide lost his newborn daughter during the typhoon. The name of the baby who died is seen written on the exterior wall of the family’s house. Reynaldo lives with his wife, Lavinia, and their two children: a 15-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. He received cash assistance for livelihood as well which he used to buy a new fishing net.

Father and son Lorenzo and Eric Beltran take turns in using the new fishing net and motor machine for their boat which they bought through the cash assistance provided by the project. They live together in a small house built just a few inches from the seawater.

Eric and Lorenzo with the rest of the Beltran family members.

Estrellita shows her husband, Binerando, getting ready for another fishing trip. Binerando is preparing the boat they managed to acquire through the livelihood cash assistance.

Grandparents Reinaldo and Feliza Manas, with their granddaughter, show the fishing net they just bought. Reinaldo is a fisherman who works to provide food for her sick wife and their granddaughter who lives with them. Surrounding them are some of the remaining debris of their damaged home.

Fernando, 64, and Analiza, 33, are a couple with two kids in grade school. With Analiza having Polio, Fernando is the primary caregiver and provider of the family. Thanks to the cash assistance, the family was able to buy new fishing gear that helped them restart their fishing livelihood after Typhoon Odette.

The ECHO-funded Typhoon Odette Response provided cash assistance which residents used to rebuild their livelihoods. While some residents used the assistance to purchase fishing gears and other equipment, others used it as a start-up capital for a sari-sari or small retail store.

Eusevio Macaraya shows his small sari-sari store inside a makeshift shelter made of materials recycled from the remains of typhoon Odette. Eusevio proudly shares how his small store is now the new place for the neighborhood, especially fishermen, to gather for coffee early at dawn or late at dusk. The new ‘Ubay Island Cafe’ owner is a 64-year-old widower who lives alone. His four children have left the island a few years ago for marriage.

Aside from the cash assistance for livelihood, the Action Against Hunger team also provided another set of cash assistance to some members of the community for food supplies. They also provided Water, Sanitation and Hygiene kits.

Estrellita Anavieza, 58, is a widow who currently lives on the island with her teenage daughter. She also received livelihood cash assistance for her store’s capital.

Aside from the cash assistance for livelihood, the Typhoon Odette Response through Action Against Hunger also provided another set of cash assistance for food supplies. During the initial stages of the intervention WASH or water, sanitation, & hygiene kits were also given to the affected residents.

The Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and jointly implemented by CARE Philippines, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) and Plan International in Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Cebu, in the Philippines. Read more

Stories from the Field: Keeping faith in helping others despite Typhoon Odette’s impact

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“In health, we need to be on duty, even if we ourselves are affected. Be strong. We go to the evacuation centers, even though we do not know what has happened to our homes.” – Dr. Ivy Padernal, Municipal Health Officer | Municipality of Mabini
Patients from devastated health stations from Mabini swarm the San Roque Health center— the main health center in the municipality. After being destroyed by Typhoon Odette, it is crucial to repair and add more health stations to serve the community.
Prior to the disaster, Dr. Ivy visits the health center once a week to conduct check-ups. The center caters to more than ten barangays. After Typhoon Odette, residents had to do their health consultations at the rural health office which was a long commute for many.
With the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid, our Typhoon Odette Response in Bohol was able to rehabilitate health facilities such as the San Roque Health Center.

The Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and jointly implemented by CARE Philippines, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) and Plan International in Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Cebu, in the Philippines.

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Stories from the Field: Hope in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette

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41-year-old Lorelei still breaks down into tears every time she recalls the day Typhoon Odette made landfall. She vividly remembers the fear that she and her family experienced. Not to mention, they had to face the fact that the typhoon had left their home damaged and their livelihood affected.
 

With the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid, our Typhoon Odette Response in Bohol was able to provide short-term livelihood recovery programs to families like Lorelei’s.

The Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and jointly implemented by CARE Philippines, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) and Plan International in Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Cebu, in the Philippines.

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Stories from the Field: Sailing Through Rough Seas

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The island of Ubay in Tubigon, Bohol is one of the communities hardest hit by Supertyphoon Odette (internationally named Rai)—the strongest typhoon that the province had ever experienced according to their current residents.

To reach the island, one must take a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland of Tubigon. If residents or travelers do not have their own boat, it costs fifty pesos for a one-way trip. Being a hard-to-reach community and with most of its houses totally damaged by the typhoon—Ubay was identified as one of the beneficiary communities of the Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines project funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).

Marichu and her son ride on their boat on the way to the island from the mainland of the town of Tubigon.

Marichu Reyes and her family are residents of the island. The day-to-day life of Marichu and her family primarily revolves around the island. Her husband is a full-time fisherman who works day and night to catch fish and other seafood for selling and consumption. The sea is the family’s means of survival and source of income. Unfortunately, with climate change making natural disasters even worse in recent years, the family’s source of living is affected.

Marichu prepares for docking and throws a rope toward a man who is waiting for the boat to arrive on the Ubay island.

“Sa dihang naagi-an mi og linog, na usab ang panahon. Dayon, nag bagyong Yolanda, mura bag hinay na kaayo ang kuha sa isda gani. Dayon gi usban ni Odette, mao tong diha mi murag na lusbo gani mi. Mura mag ibutang nato og mura ta’g nawad-an ta og panginabuhian ba, sakit kaayo,” Marichu shared during an interview.

“When the 2013 earthquake hit us, the weather seemed to have changed. Then when typhoon Yolanda hit a few months later, our fishermen’s daily catch gradually decreased. Typhoon Odette came and that is when everything got even worse. It seemed like we lost everything in life, and it was too painful for us,” 

Despite the day-to-day financial challenges they face, Marichu and her husband continue to keep their promise of not giving up. Currently, their eldest child is in a local college studying Education, while their second child has just started college taking up Maritime courses.

The family owns a boat that they use not only for fishing but also for taking passengers to and from the island; this is a secondary source of income for them. Meanwhile, Marichu works as a Barangay Health Worker on the island with a monthly honorarium of 500 pesos.

“Ang akong bana, ang buntag himoon og gabie, ang gabie himoon og buntag niya, para lang maka support sa among mga anak. Kay among mga anak ma’am bisag ingani mi ang among sitwasyon, maka kaon sa usa ka adlaw og ka tulo, pursigi gani sila sa ilang pag skwela. Unya kato akong ulitawo mo tabang sad sa iyang papa og tahi, managat…. Ang kanang mahibiln sa among balay kanag gamay nako ari, kamao naman sad na moluto ka gi tun-an lage nako, 9 years old, grade 4,” Marichu proudly narrated.

“As a fisherman, my husband’s morning is the night, and the night is his morning. He does that just to support our children because even if we are in this situation – merely having three meals per day – we have hard-working children who are eager to go to school.

For instance, my second child helps his father at work – he sews our fish net, he goes fishing… Our youngest child is usually the one left at home, and he can already cook food. He is nine years old and in the fourth grade,”

Marichu admitted that her family of five continues to experience the struggle to achieve a more stable life, especially in recent years because income through fishing has been unsteady and two of the children have started tertiary education. On the brighter side, this struggle is also the thing that motivates them to do better and bigger. Unfortunately, their struggle intensified in December 2021 after Super Typhoon Odette washed out their home and destroyed their fishing equipment.

Marichu sits in the doorway of their makeshift house while narrating the horrors her family and the rest of the island community experienced during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette

The town of Tubigon has six islands surrounding it. Due to the lack of appropriate sea transport facilities and time constraints, the local government officials were not able to evacuate all of the Ubay Island residents before the strong winds and rains arrived. Fifteen families remained on the island during the typhoon including Marichu’s.

Marichu got emotional as she recalled the unfortunate events that happened on the island during the typhoon. She narrated how the community witnessed first-hand the rapid destruction of the islanders’ primary assets – the households and the livelihood. Marichu also shared how the entire community of Ubay Island mourned for the two most vulnerable members of the community who lost their lives during the typhoon – a newborn baby and an old woman.

“Sakit kaayo paminawon ba, nga ang among bay ug panginabuhian hurot tanan. Ang nahibilin na lang namo ang among pamilya, maong nagpasalamat sad ko sa GInoo ba nga wa mi hutdan sa among mga anak. Gibilin mi, ang gikuha niya ang panginabuhian ug among balay. Pero salamt jud kaayp sa Ginoo sad kay kami buo pa mi. Hinuon ang panginabuhian ug ang bay, sa inanay mabalik man. Pero sakit lang sad paminawon ba,” Marichu said.

“It is painful to think that our home and livelihood got destroyed [due to the typhoon]. What was left of us is our family. I am thankful to God that we did not lose anyone from the family. Our house and livelihood got taken away, but thankfully our family is still complete. We can bring back our house and livelihood slowly anyway. But it was still painful [to lose our house and livelihood,”

The arrival of the Action Against Hunger team to the island a few months after the typhoon was considered a blessing to the island. Marichu, along with the other residents of the island of Ubay, received post-calamity aid from the ECHO-funded project. Cash assistance for livelihood and food is the primary aid intervention for the residents of the island. They also received water, sanitation and hygiene kits.

Standing in front of their temporary house, Marichu shows off the new fish net they bought using the ECHO livelihood assistance

All of the families on the island benefited from various aid programs coordinated by the Action Against Hunger team. More than 20 families were able to buy new fishing equipment that helped in their livelihood recovery, and more than 40 families were able to buy food supplies for daily consumption.

Standing in front of their temporary house, Marichu shows off the new fish net they bought using the livelihood assistance from the 

The residents of Ubay Island mention their gratitude for all the help they received in Typhoon Odette’s aftermath. Marichu and her husband thought it would take them a long time to recover, but thanks to donations from charity organizations, especially Action Against Hunger, according to them it only took a few months to go back to fishing. It’s a long way to go, but they’re slowly getting back on their feet.

“Ipagawas lang nako no, daghan jud kaayo ko og pasalamat ninyo, sa Action Against Hunger, sa ECHO. Dako kaayo og nakatabang sa among panginabuhian. Nga ang among pukot nga gamay na pun-an pa gyud tungod sa hibanag Action Against Hunger. Thank you kaayo. Og sa akoa lang nga bahin ma’am, kung nagkinahanglan mo nako, willing ko, magpa gamit ko para makatabang pod,” Marichu’s ending statement during the interview.

“I just want to express a huge thank you to Action Against Hunger and ECHO. They helped us a lot in the revival of our livelihood. For instance, we now have a bigger fish net because of the cash assistance we received. Thank you very much. And on my part, if ever the organization would need anything from me, I am willing to help and be a volunteer, so I can also help in return,”

The Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and jointly implemented by CARE Philippines, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) and Plan International in Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Cebu, in the Philippines.

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