Early Response

Typhoon Odette made landfall in the Philippines (Siargao Island) on December 16. In the wee hours of December 17, it hit our home province of Negros Occidental. Just few hours later, the NVC Foundation team was on the field distributing Mingo Meals and water. We were one of the earliest emergency relief responders in Negros.

As more roads were cleared, the NVC Team visited more parts of the island. We brought basic food supplies. In addition to Mingo and water, we brought rice, noodles and canned goods. For several weeks, we sent out trucks daily to the hardest hit areas especially to those that had not yet received help from either government or other NGOs.

Going beyond Relief

NVC Foundation’s Emergency Response is a three-pronged approach. After the initial relief in the form of food and water, we began to repair and rebuild homes for those whose houses were damaged or destroyed by the storm. We have also begun to help restore economic activity around the island by providing the materials and equipment needed.

Rebuilding Homes and Lives

On January 17, we began construction of shelter for marginalized communities who lost their homes to the storm. We are scheduled to build 100 homes in Sipalay, Negros Occidental (western side of Negros Island). This was the part of the island that was hardest hit. We are grateful to Base Bahay Foundation for being the first to throw their hat into the REBUILD ring with us, and to Peace and Equity Foundation through SIFI and SIMAG Foundations for their added support. Architects who chose to remain anonymous drafted the plans for the homes.

Vice President Leni Robredo recruited us to be her ground partners to implement her Build Back Better Typhoon Odette home rebuilding project in Negros. Using donations from private individuals, she distributed 250 Home Repair Kits to families in Negros.

In addition to building homes, we have also donated roof repair kits to people whose homes were partially damaged by the storm.

Helping People Get Back on Their Feet

In order to help people get back on their feet, it is essential that we restore economic activity in their communities. Havaianas Philippines turned over the first donation for this initiative. They helped oyster growers in Ilog, Negros Occidental get back on their feet. After that we helped rebuild the vermished of the Peace Pond farmers. In addition to the vermished, the farmers were also able to construct a seed eco factory next to it. More donors stepped forward to help. To date, we have helped 87 families involved in Agriculture, 108 families involved in Aquaculture and 9 families involved in baking, craft-making and the like through Restore.

 

To get regular detailed updates on our emergency response, please check our Facebook page.

Back to School

Families affected by the typhoon were among those who received support in the form of educational assistance for their children. It was the first time for face to face classes to resume and students need uniforms, school supplies, school bags and other supplies. A donation from a generous donor allowed us to purchase these for families still struggling to get back on their feet.

Reaching out beyond Our Borders

We have also begun reaching out beyond our borders. After the typhoon, it was difficult for us to contact our ground partners in other provinces. Thankfully, we were finally able to coordinate with our ground partners in Siargao Island, Dinagat Island and Palawan. We shipped Mingo Meals to Dinagat Island and Palawan. And we sent Mingo Meals and water filters to Siargao. Related story: Mingo4Siargao

Help Us Help People Get Back on Their Feet

If you would like to help us help those affected by the storm, please click on the DONATE NOW button below. When you donate, please indicate in the message portion that you would like to help those affected by Typhoon Odette.

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Typhoon Odette Response in Figures: