Updated August 2011
Two years since Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, Christian Aid partners continue to work with those most affected helping them rebuild their lives.
On 26 September 2009, Ketsana brought an unusually high volume of rain causing widespread flooding which swept through the country’s capital Manila and neighbouring provinces wreaking havoc and affecting more than four million people.
Our immediate response
Christian Aid's partners, even though many were personally affected, responded immediately.
Partners, the Social Pastoral Institute and COPE, work in Manila’s poorest districts - the areas that were worst affected by the flooding - and helped to deliver food, water and clothing relief packages to displaced families.
Cash-for-work schemes
Poor people in urban areas were most affected, many losing everything to the flood water.
Dina Laudencio and her family were unable to salvage anything from the high waters.
Dina says, ‘Everything was gone, including our house. We had nowhere to go. We relied on relief goods.’
Video - Dina tells of how the cash for work scheme helped her family
Through your support for the Philippines appeal, Christian Aid partners worked with Dina and her family to rebuild their lives by taking part in the cash-for-work scheme in Banaba, San Mateo, one of the worst affect areas.
‘I was able to rebuild our house which was washed away during Typhoon Ketsana. I also used the income from cash-for-work to get electricity in our home. My children were able to go back to school.’
‘I was able to rebuild our house which was washed away during Typhoon Ketsana. I also used the income from cash-for-work to get electricity in our home. My children were able to go back to school.’
Cash-for-work schemes included reinforcing of river banks to prevent further soil erosion during floods. Local communities really valued this programme as it gave them the flexibility to purchase different goods according to their needs, especially after the initial distribution of relief.
One quarter of the incredible £1.5 million raised through the Christian Aid Appeal, DEC appeal, ACT, and others was used for cash-for-work programmes and individual and family cash grants, benefitting thousands of people like Dina.
Further programmes include the distribution of food and non-food items such as blankets, mats, water and stoves reaching 8,697 families, and 1,140 families were provided with shelter materials.
Long term support
Due to your generous donations Christian Aid Partners SPI and COPE continue to work with those still affected by the disaster.
We would like to thank you for your support as your actions continue to make a real difference to peoples’ lives in the Philippines.
