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A Girl’s Story of Loss and Hope
After Typhoon Odette brought her family’s house down, Precious, her parents and siblings are now enjoying the warmth and comfort of their house that was built to resist natural hazards such as storms, typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.
Watch her story here:
Precious’ parents Barney and Eunice shared that in the past two months, their new house withstood the heavy rain and strong winds that the rainy season brought in. Their CGI roofing was nailed and braced securely and was able to hold out against the wind. Their marine plywood walls were also braced for the wind and its material protected them from the rain.
Since #TyphoonOdette flew their roof off and took their bamboo walls down, Eunice said that they have never felt safe and secure until they moved into their new house.
“It rained heavily last night but we were confident that we would be safe because of how sturdy our house is”, she added.
The family was sheltered in the latter’s mother’s house after the typhoon until CARE and National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) came to their barangay to support affected families in their efforts to repair or rebuild their houses.
Through the Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines, they were able to access shelter repair kits. The barangay also recommended their family be assisted in repairing their house through mutual help or the bayanihan system. Volunteer carpenters and other members of the community helped in the repair.
This is usually done when some members of the community such as the elderly, the sick, and persons with disabilities are not able to repair or rebuild their houses on their own. Barney said that his epilepsy prevented him from doing the construction, hence, he was thankful that his community helped his family.
He and his wife are presently managing a small sari-sari store and internet vending business in their house. They will also be supported by the response through livelihood enhancement training and addition to capital.
Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release
Humanitarian organizations will be launching a photo exhibit in Siargao next week to raise awareness about the impact of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) and the concerted efforts of residents and various groups in rebuilding the affected communities.
The photo exhibition dubbed “The Last Mile,” which will open on August 15, 6 p.m. at the Siago Beach Resort in General Luna, Siargao Island, just a few days before the commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day (August 19).
The event is organized by non-government organizations and local government units working on the Typhoon Odette Response. The aim of the event is to urge the national government and other stakeholders to not forget those most vulnerable in times of disaster.
It will feature almost a hundred images captured by organizations who implemented the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU-ECHO)-supported emergency response for the survivors of Typhoon Odette: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger, Care Philippines, Humanity & Inclusion, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Inc., National Rural Women’s Coalition, Oxfam Pilipinas, Plan International, Save the Children Philippines, and Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT) Inc.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron will be giving a message at the opening event of the exhibit, followed by presentations by the participating organizations.
“We want to showcase these powerful images to show just how devastating typhoons are to marginalized and remote communities in the Philippines. We also want to show what we can do together to save lives and reduce the risks and impacts of disasters,” said Oxfam Pilipinas Country Director Lot Felizco.
“With climate change, we expect more intense typhoons to hit the Philippines. We hope the exhibit will also give people hope that something can be done and is being done to strengthen our communities against future disasters and to help them recover from Typhoon Odette,” she added.
CARE Philippines Country Director David Gazashvili said the exhibit will also show the achievements and challenges that residents and humanitarian organizations face eight months after the devastation of Typhoon Odette.
“The exhibit shows how the quick and substantial funding from the EU-ECHO, the power of communities, women and men, boys and girls working together and collaborating with humanitarian actors have effectively addressed urgent humanitarian needs, especially of those who need the most assistance. But it also brings to the surface the challenges of prioritizing disaster-preparedness, risk reduction, and climate change mitigation and adaptation,” he added.
EU-ECHO’s funding of the Typhoon Odette emergency response has enabled the provision of emergency services to almost half a million individuals in Bohol, Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte through the implementation of two consortia: one led by CARE, with ACCORD Inc., National Rural Women’s Coalition, Plan International, and Action Against Hunger; and another led by Oxfam Pilipinas and jointly implemented by Save the Children and Humanity & Inclusion (HI), together with local partners SIKAT Inc. and IDEALS Inc.
The joint efforts of the groups resulted in the distribution of food and livelihood assistance to 70,643 individuals; water, sanitation and hygiene packs for 75,394; protection assistance for 147,549; shelter provision for 72,902; health services for 68,317; and “education in emergency” assistance for 41,205.
Besides attending the photo exhibit, the EU ambassador will also be visiting Pilar in Siargao Island to observe EU-ECHO-funded activities such as the “Education in Emergency” component of the project in Caridad Elementary School. As part of the Typhoon Odette Emergency Response, the school’s teachers received training, supplies and a multi-purpose learning space where “return to learning” sessions are being held. The consortium also assisted in the construction of the multi-learning space and the repair of the damaged classrooms, which will also be turned over next week
For the coming months, the groups will continue to provide the same support for the most affected communities in Bohol, Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte.
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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES AND COORDINATION:
Kristine Sabillo Guerrero | Senior Officer for Media and Digital Influencing, Oxfam Pilipinas
An analysis by humanitarian organisation CARE highlights, for the first time, a global link between gender inequality and food insecurity. Analysing data from 2021, the report shows that across 109 countries, as gender inequality goes up, food security goes down.
Christine Campeau, CARE’s Global Advocacy Director – Food Systems, said, “Between 2018 and 2021, the number of hungry women versus hungry men grew 8.4 times, with a staggering 150 million more women than men hungry in 2021. And the implications of the escalation of conflict in Ukraine will make the situation even worse for women, who play a crucial role across food systems and in feeding their families and communities. Gender equality is highly connected to food and nutrition security at a local, national, and global level. To put it simply, the more gender inequality there is in a country, the hungrier and more malnourished people are.”
Of the four major global datasets on gender, including the World Bank’s Gender Data Portal, the only sex disaggregated food indicators reinforce women’s role solely for their importance in reproduction: measuring anemia in women of childbearing age and counting stunting for children. Most food security datasets are strangely silent on gender. And, despite women being responsible for 90% of preparing and buying food, they are eating last and least.
Even when both men and women are technically food insecure, women often bear bigger burdens. For example, in Somalia, while men report eating smaller meals, women report skipping meals altogether.
Aisha, who lives in a village in eastern Somalia said, “I don’t remember how old I really am, the drought has affected me mentally and physically so much that I can’t remember. Most days we don’t get anything to eat, other days we eat one meal.”
In the World Bank Gender Data Portal on food and women, the only sex disaggregated food data is related to the number of women who believe, or do not believe, that a husband is justified in beating his wife when she burns the food.
Ms Campeau said, “As women keep feeding the world, we must give them the right space in our data collection methods and analysis to make the gaps they encounter visible and work with women themselves to find solutions to those gaps. Global datasets should be publishing sex disaggregated data on food—whether the focus is on gender or on food. It is time to update our global understanding of food security and gender inequality, and, local actors, including women’s organisations in crisis-affected communities, need to get the flexible funding and support desperately needed to protect women and girls from hunger-associated gender-based-violence and protection risks.”
About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organisation fighting global poverty. CARE has more than seven decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. To learn more, visit www.care-international.org
For media enquiries contact:
Suzy Sainovski Senior Humanitarian Communications Coordinator, CARE International Email: suzy.sainovski@care.org Skype: suzy.sainovski
Collaborating with 30 barangay local units to create vaccine awareness for ~260,000 people
Manila, Philippines (January 19, 2022)— Cargill and CARE Philippines, have collaborated with non-government organizations and business partners, to boost the vaccination rates in select areas of Bulacan Province, Batangas and South Cotabato by the end of 2021 through the COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Vaccination Roll-Out project. This vaccine advocacy project is expected to reach about 260,000 people.
More than a year after the Philippines launched its efforts for mass vaccination against COVID-19, there is still much work to be done to achieve population protection. The National Task Force against COVID-19 released statistics showcasing a slowed down rate of administering shots last October with only 375,773 compared to 523,018 of August 2021.
A possible reason could still be the existing hesitancies from Filipinos about vaccination, with only 61% of the population being willing to be vaccinated based from a survey released by the Octa Research group last October 22.
The Social Weather Stations conducted a survey to find out what the possible reasons are why Filipinos are unwilling despite being offered a free vaccination. The fear of possible side effects ranks as number one in the list followed by old age, being diagnosed with comorbidities and belief in reports of fatality.
“In Cargill, putting people first has always been a part of our values. And this value of caring for people goes beyond our employees and extends to those in the communities where we live and work. Through the RCCE and Vaccination Roll-Out Project, we aim to tip the scale in favor of population protection from COVID, thus allowing ourselves and our communities to bounce back from this pandemic,” said Christopher Ilagan, Cargill Philippines’ Corporate Affairs Director.
The RCCE and Vaccination Roll-Out Project, which is being implemented in Malolos City, Baliwag and Pulilan in Bulacan Province, Sto. Tomas City in Batangas, and General Santos City in South Cotabato, aims to support 30 barangay local government units (BLGUs) to increase their capacities in implementing COVID-19 policies and help encourage their residents to get vaccinated. More than 2,450 barangay officials, health workers and members of the peacekeeping team have already been trained by medical professionals to further spread information and provide communication about the risks of COVID-19 and vaccination benefits.
Support was also given to BLGUs with low vaccination rates by providing free transportation for vaccination to residents – especially women, PWDs and the elderly – from far-flung areas of the covered locations. Incentives were also given, like rice, food and hygiene kits, to encourage other community members to participate.
In alignment with the proclamation that 30 November – 01 December and 17-19 December 2021 as National Vaccination Days, the RCCE Project in Batangas and Bulacan provided free rides to 2,420 individuals from far flung barangays to the vaccination sites, free snacks and sanitary kits and distribution of information, education and campaign materials. The Community Health Educators (CHEs) hired and trained by the project also provided additional health manpower during the vaccination events at the selected barangays. Additionally, about 4,000 community members received rice and hygiene kits incentives from the project. Among these community members whom the project assisted to be vaccinated, more 700 of them confessed that previously, they are hesitant to take the shot but through the community education conducted by the project, they were encouraged to get vaccinated.
Romy M. Pagaduan, the chairperson of Brgy. Ligaya, General Santos City said that the project has made it easier for them to convince their residents to get vaccinated. He shared that his barangay is among those which have low vaccination rates due to people being less-informed, if not misinformed, about COVID-19 and the vaccines. “We now have the right answers to their questions especially those that were drawn from information they got from social media and rumors spread in the barangay”, he said.
The project is led by CARE Philippines and being implemented with Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) and Sarangani Province Empowerment for Community Transformation Forum (Spectrum) in General Santos City, Southern Tagalog People’s Resource Center (STPRC) in Batangas and CARE Philippines in Bulacan with participation from Cargill employees across all these areas.
Early Warning Systems (EWS) equipment were officially turned over to the community members and barangay officials of Natonin and Barlig, Mt. Province last September 8 and 9, 2021.
EWS equipment include basic emergency and first aid equipment such as generators, spine boards with strap, two-way radios, amplifiers, public awareness devices, bells, rope, sets of BP apparatus, first aid kits, among others. All of which were identified by community members who were actively engaged in community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops conducted as part of the INCREASE: Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards project. Along with the equipment, household level flyers about the specific hazards in their community and the evacuation plan, and EWS signage containing warning signals and actions for community members were also handed over during the turn over ceremony.
In Barlig, barangay officials and representatives from INCREASE covered barangays, Kaleo, Chupac, Lunas, and Ogo-og, and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative were present during the turn-over ceremony. Female household heads who were the main participants of the Resilient Livelihood activities of INCREASE, also attended the ceremony and offered a song of appreciation to CARE Philippines and Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services representatives. In Natonin, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officer along with Barangay Balangao and Alonugan officials and female household heads received the equipment and IEC materials.
People-centered EWS
EWS is an adaptive measure for climate change, using integrated communication systems to help communities prepare for hazardous climate-related events. This means that through EWS, community members receive relevant and timely information in a systematic way prior to a disaster in order to make informed decisions and take action. A successful EWS can save lives and livelihood. To be effective, EWS needs to actively involve the communities at risk, facilitate public education and awareness of risks, effectively disseminate messages and warnings and ensure there is constant state of preparedness.
During INCREASE workshops, risk information and the necessary equipment to relay warning signals were identified. This information was identified by the community members and barangay officials, and was documented and translated into IEC materials to make sure that warnings are understandable by all members of the community.
The need for EWS Equipment
“When Typhoon Rosita hit our area, we thought it was the end. The experience awakened our community. We exhausted every means to prepare for the next disaster. Thanks to INCREASE Project, we were able to identify early warning devices needed in our area to better respond to natural hazards,” shared Brgy. Balangao Chairperson Conrado Limangan, upon receiving the EWS equipment.
Recalling the worst typhoon in their memory, community members mentioned that since they had no equipment back then, members of the Barangay DRRM Council would only be shouting to instruct community members to evacuate their homes. Power and communication lines were interrupted then, hence they identified a generator as one of the main EWS equipment needed in their area. Natonin Municipal DRRM Officer Soledad Nasudman recognizes this and shared, “Thank you for bringing the project nearer to us. Even if the BDRRMC officials are capacitated, if equipment is not available, response and preparedness would not be as effective.”
Natonin and Barlig are both prone to typhoons and landslides. During their community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops, community members shared that they experience at least 3 to 4 typhoons in a year. One barangay was also named as the “Home of Rain” since rain is nonstop in the area for almost the whole year. While community members recognize the need for EWS equipment and IEC materials, they also acknowledge that they need to find a funding source for the purchase and installment of EWS. Barangay Chupac Chairperson, Benedicto Nabunat shared, “We express our deepest appreciation to the INCREASE team for the equipment because we know that our barangay’s budget can’t afford to provide these. We are thankful because it’s rare that a project reaches an isolated area like ours.” In addition to these equipment, risk maps plotting the community facilities, houses, forests, and farmlands, their level of susceptibility to several hazards that can affect them will be put up. To test the early actions and preparedness capacities of the officials and community members, a drill will also be conducted as part of the INCREASE Project.
INCREASE aims to increase the resilience of 45,000 women and men small-scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extreme poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. It is present in 4 provinces, 8 municipalities, and 33 barangays. CARE Philippines and CorDis RDS lead its implementation in Mt. Province.
When lockdown measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19,
even development projects were halted. Community-based trainings and workshops
implemented by actors from outside the barangays were not allowed as they could
be carriers of the virus. Local leaders play a critical role in a time when external
support is limited and when the community’s safety is prioritized.
CARE local partner organization, ACCORD, Inc., ensures that potential
leaders are recognized and gradually help them develop their capacities,
self-confidence, and credibility. ACCORD shared, “Organizing and building
capacities of local champions, community facilitators, and project
steering committees at the barangay level was done as part of the project’s adaptive and sustainability measures. When
staff’s mobility was restricted, valuable
assistance was provided by the community champions – not only in the
implementation of emergency responses on the ground, but also in setting up
regular project activities with our field teams. The project intends to engage
and work with the same champions throughout the project, whose capacities for
local leadership will remain, even after project closure.”
Among these local leaders is Josefina, 65, who serves as a Barangay Health Worker in Cullit, Gattaran in the province of Cagayan. Her daily duties include monitoring the health of children and elderly persons in their community. Since resources are scarce, she also helps out in medicine allocation, prioritizing the old and the sick. Now that there is a pandemic, she also helped out in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government, ensuring that the most vulnerable are included in the list. Josefina said that what she does in her barangay brings her happiness because she was able to provide help to her fellow senior citizens, especially now that the pandemic made serving her community more challenging. She recalled that her worst experience of a calamity was in 2012. She shared, “our community and livestock had to be evacuated in higher grounds, and whatever was left behind were covered in thick mud after being submerged in the flood. Our family and neighbors had to clean the waist-deep mud in our houses, and had to sleep on the streets for about three weeks.” Because of this, she recognizes the importance of disaster preparedness, “the INCREASE project helped our community in planning and preparing for hazards and disasters.”
To also continue actively involving the
communities despite the restrictions, INCREASE also responded to COVID-19. The timing of the pandemic coincided with
lean season when farmers had to engage in alternative income generating
activities such as buying and selling vegetables. With lockdowns and
restrictions in accessing goods, such activities are not allowed. For Josefina, “the rice packs helped my community,
especially those whose livelihoods were affected because of the travel
restrictions and lockdown. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 information materials remind
my community to follow health protocols and what to do to protect themselves
from the virus.”
Involvement of local actors also
includes inviting them in knowledge exchange sessions which are relevant in
their current context. Made possible through the Resilience and Innovation
Learning Hub (RILHUB), INCREASE partner LGU in Cagayan was able to attend
relevant webinars on resilience and DRR – covering topics such as Contingency
Planning during COVID-19, Setting Up Community Quarantine Facilities, and Camp
Coordination and Camp Management Training. Such information exchange sessions were seen timely by local actors as
these webinars coincided with their preparation timelines for updating
municipal disaster risk reduction plans, comprehensive development plans,
comprehensive land use plans, and local climate change action plans –
undertakings defined as actual project outputs in INCREASE’s result framework,
and areas in disaster governance INCREASE’s technical assistance seeks to
enhance.
While activity implementation under INCREASE remains restricted, it is through these emergency responses and knowledge exchange sessions that ACCORD was able to check-in, and assess the evolving needs of INCREASE barangays in actual emergencies. Local leaders were also more involved in the project and appreciates its flexibility in delivering the appropriate emergency response given the urgent situation.
Cordillera Disaster Response &
Development Services Inc (CorDisRDS Inc.) is a non-government organization providing disaster response
and community development services to the communities of Cordillera Provinces:
Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, and Baguio City.
Their main activities include facilitating assistance to disaster-affected
communities and helping in the distribution of relief assistance, giving
training and seminars to capacitate community and people’s organization leaders
and their members.
Support given by CARE:
CorDis-RDS is the
local partner of CARE Philippines in implementing INCREASE project in Mountain
Province. INCREASE or Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards aims to
increase the resilience of 45,000 women and men small-scale farmers and
fishers, including 720 extreme poor female-headed households, to natural
hazards and the effects of climate change.
During the COVID-19
pandemic, CARE Philippines and CorDis-RDS, has provided personal protective
equipment to municipal local government units (MLGUs) and sacks of rice as a
relief to communities in Barlig and Natonin, Mountain Province.
COVID-19
information materials were also distributed in the areas to promote preventive
measures against the coronavirus
The Problem
What has been your experience since the COVID-19
pandemic started?
The CorDis-RDS
team has experienced challenges in reaching the communities because of travel
restrictions. Before community quarantine was implemented, the team would spend
2 weeks in INCREASE areas where they would visit 4 barangays in two
municipalities. But because of the pandemic, they had to cut their field work
short to one and a half week covering three barangays. Since then, they were
not able to go back to these communities.
According to
Liza Lomong-ey, CorDis-RDS Field Officer, “Since the declaration of enhanced
community quarantine in March 2020, it has been so stressful because the team
was not able to personally reach partner communities and local government units
(LGUs) in this trying time and we have not implemented activities for almost 6
months and are confined within our homes and office due to the safety protocols
being implemented.”
How have you adapted operations to reach
your beneficiaries?
The pandemic has
heightened the importance of network-building, especially on the ground, in
implementing emergency response and development projects. While faced with
travel restrictions, the team has worked on strengthening their relationship
with people’s organizations and LGUs so they can understand the evolving needs
of the communities.
Liza mentioned,
“Communication between INCREASE team and partner LGUs was sustained through
constant updating and coordination via phone calls and text messages. From
constant updating with MLGUs and partner BLGUs, COVID responses in Natonin and
Barlig namely the provision of PPES and rice assistance were implemented. This
was made possible through building partnerships with LGUs and their willingness
to implement such.”
It is also
important to keep the response strategy adaptive to the changing situations in
the communities. For example, Barlig and Natonin are in the same province but
follow different process in implementing relief distribution.
Liza shared, “The distribution of PPEs and sacks of rice were implemented by the municipal disaster risk reduction officer. Particular for the PPEs in Barlig and Natonin, it was channeled to the PDRRM office which was later fetched personally by Barlig MDRRM officer together with the PPEs for Natonin. Likewise, the rice distribution in the municipality was implemented under the supervision of Barlig Mayor’s office and MDRRM officer. In Natonin, the distribution was implemented directly by partner BLGUs.”
COVID-19 response was delivered with the help of barangay leaders
Since face-to-face
interaction was not possible for CorDis-RDS team, they have supplemented the
efforts of the LGUs with localized communication materials. This way, the
communities would have reference materials for long term preventive measures as
a community against COVID-19.
“We were also
able to reach our partners through sending a localized IEC material on
reminders for COVID 19 to 6 communities in Natonin and a minimal copy of COVID
flyers (long term measures) to selected LGUs in the municipality,” said Liza.
What has been the ‘word on the ground’?
Community lockdowns were implemented by the
government, limiting people’s movement and livelihood options. This has
negatively affected their income as several businesses have closed either
temporarily or permanently. A lot of people have lost their jobs, while farmers
couldn’t reach market places to sell their produce because of the travel ban.
Liza said,
“INCREASE areas in Mountain Province are affected by this COVID pandemic in
terms of economic aspect. Their livelihood is affected due to protocols on
public transportation and transport of goods.”
How do you think the typhoon season is
going to affect operations?
Operating in
disaster-prone areas, CorDis-RDS team is used to shifting to emergency response
whenever it is needed. However, this means that the regular activities being
implemented for INCREASE project will have to be re-strategized so it can be
pushed through in an efficient manner.
Liza shared her
worries about the typhoon season, “The implementation of planned activities in
two partner municipalities will surely be affected this last quarter of the
year if there will be typhoons that will hit Northern Luzon. Some planned
activities will not be implemented, the main reason is accessibility/ road cuts
given the location of Natonin and Barlig which is mountainous in nature which
is also prone to landslides and erosion. In addition, Cordis will surely shift
to emergency mode wherein all pending activities and office works will be set
aside for the meantime.”
Do you think you can weather the storm?
“The team together with partner communities must weather the
storm, not literally, but to adjust on whatever the plan and activities are and
to strictly follow LGU protocols in this pandemic period,” said Liza.
CorDis-RDS team
understands that increasing resilience to natural hazards is much more needed
in a pandemic. Preventive actions to protect self and others should be
observed, while planning for or experiencing disasters. Being fully informed of
these measures and strengthening the capacities of the local actors are their
best way to weather the storm.
Food, water, and medicine are limited during and after a
crisis. In a household where resources are limited, women are usually the ones
to eat the least amount of food because they sacrifice their share for their
husband and children. Women and girls, being more vulnerable during and after
disaster, have needs that should be considered in designing and implementing
multipurpose cash transfer (MPCT). Therefore, their involvement is important to
ensure that the MPCT actually addresses their and those of their families and
communities’ needs, challenges, and opportunities.
In the Typhoon Kammuri response led by CARE together with Leyte Center for Development Inc in the early months of 2020, MPCT has involved women from the design phase of the distribution process. Each household was given the opportunity to decide which family member should be registered and receive cash transfers on behalf of the household. In these cases, women were as likely to receive the MPCT as men. Because of this, the usual tension on financial decision-making upon the receipt of the cash was reduced, as the registered names in the distribution list came from and owned by the household. Women will then have a voice on where to allocate the cash.
Prior to the distribution of the MPCT, the community, especially women, has also received complementary training sessions on Build Back Safer and hygiene and sanitation. Build Back Safer which involves lessons on carpentry, usually gathers men as participants because carpentry is traditionally considered as men’s work. However, since women were encouraged to come, they have attended and realized that they can also do such work. This has also been useful for men participants to be aware that women can also do other roles. Women have also reported that they appreciate such sessions because they served as a safe space so they can share their experiences and learn from one another. It is also important for the women to have learned handwashing measures that they can share with their children at home. This has proven that complementing MPCT with learning sessions raise awareness on disrupting gender roles among men and women in the community.
Women supporting women
Most volunteers during the distribution of water kits and MPCT were women. Their initiative comes from the sense of responsibility they have towards their community.
Women volunteers assisting distributing water kits
In one barangay, a
woman leader in an organization ensured that people in her community are
informed if there is a disaster coming. Without her, people at-risk might have
not been able to prepare or evacuate their area since information dissemination
is a challenge in the area because of limited cellular signal. This leader has
also expressed the need to revive the women’s organization to have more
activities that could benefit the community and to access basic services
collectively.
To save time, effort, and resources, women and men who collected the cash took the opportunity to buy their needs on the same day of the distribution, since the distribution sites are near market places. Due to lockdown measures by the government, pregnant women and the elderly were not allowed to go outside. Their women neighbors, then, offered to buy their needs for them. This sense of solidarity among women has been more evident in times of disaster and pandemic. Safety issues due to the distance from the distribution site and their communities were reduced when women self-organized to go together to protect one another.
Eva used the cash she received for their house repair
Women protecting
other women has also been true in Brgy. Magsaysay. Josefina, 68, is a farmer
whose income has also been affected by the pandemic. Because some of her farm
produce were not sold due to travel ban, she shared them to her neighbors since
she knows that a lot of families in her community are suffering from hunger.
She has also visited houses of women to talk to them to make sure that they are
safe. This has given these women psychosocial support. In times of extreme
experiences brought by a disaster and pandemic, it is likely that people feel
fearful and anxious. Mental health and psychosocial support is a
clearly-identified need, and therefore, doubly crucial.
(Manila, Philippines – October 31, 2020) Typhoon Goni (locally known as Rolly), is likely to be a Super Typhoon once it hits the Philippine land mass. It continues to intensify and is expected to make landfall on Sunday, November 1, 2020, affecting at least 20 provinces in the islands of Luzon and Visayas.
As of October 31, 8 AM, Goni is still at sea and continues to move west towards the coast of Bicol at 20 km/h. Goni is predicted to have maximum sustained winds from 185 km/h to 215 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 265 km/h by time it grazes Bicol and makes landfall over Quezon.
The typhoon is forecasted to bring heavy rainfalls and winds in the Eastern Visayas Region, the Bicol Region, CALABARZON region, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Sciences Administration (PAG-ASA).
The typhoon is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday, November 2, 2020.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has also warned that torrential rains may cause lahar to flow down the slopes of Mayon Volcano in the province of Albay, Taal Volcano, in the province of Batangas, and Mt. Pinatubo in the province of Zambales.
Local authorities warn people to prepare for storm surges of up to 3.0 m in coastal communities of Quezon and Aurora. Landslides and flash floods are also possible in upland and low-lying areas. Its powerful winds can uproot trees and topple electric posts.
Local government units are preparing for the possible onslaught of the typhoon and are already setting up possible evacuation centers which adhere to minimum public health standards under COVID-19 restrictions.
“Apart from the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines is also facing the start of the La Nina season. CARE and partners are monitoring the situation. We are ready to conduct assessments and respond as needed, while ensuring staff and partners have proper protective equipment and follow local health protocols,” said David Gazashvili, CARE Philippines Country Director.
CARE has been working in the Philippines since 1949, helping communities prepare for disasters, and providing emergency relief and recovery when disaster strikes. CARE has ongoing programs across the Philippines, including in the areas potentially affected by Typhoon Goni. CARE is closely monitoring the track of the typhoon, and is ready to activate assessment and response teams in coordination with partner organizations and local government units on the ground.
Rose (24 years old)
is a resident of Sapa, Barangay Panghulo, Malabon City. Her household is
composed of eight individuals which includes her five children, her mother,
father, aunt who is a senior citizen. Her family’s main source of income is distributing
and selling Sampaguita flower garlands.
Most members of her
community lost their employment. Rose revealed that since most men in the
community work at construction sites, all of them lost their jobs during the lockdown
enforced by the government to control the pandemic. Women while primarily
responsible for caring for the children, also sold sampaguita garlands on the
side to augment household incomes. Due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)
or lockdown, they were unable to sell the garlands and had no sustainable
source of income.
“Bawal kasi talaga
lumabas. Halimbawa, nakita ka ng barangay sa labas, huhulihin ka kaagad lalo na
pag wala kang mask” (Rose, female, 24 years old, Malabon City)
“We were not allowed
to go out at all. If the barangay officials see you outside of your house, they
would arrest you immediately especially if you do not have a face mask.”(Rose,
female, 24 years old, Malabon City)
Rose also mentioned that the quarantine protocols in their barangay are
extremely strict. For each household, throughout the ECQ, only one person is allowed
to go out and do errands. They did not have curfew hours since residents were
not allowed to go out if they do not have a quarantine pass. If apprehended, curfew
violators are taken to the barangay office. Rose also mentioned that those who
guard and enforce quarantine protocols in their community are all men.
When asked whether
they had access to face masks during the ECQ, Rose shared that they could not
afford a box of face masks. It was too expensive, so they used cloths and handkerchiefs
as an alternative for protective gear. She also mentioned that practicing social
distancing was difficult and almost impossible for them since their house is
small and all of them were forced to stay inside.
Rose shared that they
received food aid four times during the lockdown. However, this was insufficient
to meet the foods needs of the whole household. Most of the time they were eating
only twice or once a day in order to make food supply last longer. As for the
cash aid, she mentioned that there were a lot of households in the community
that did not receive cash assistance even though they lost their jobs and
applied for the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
“Kulang po talaga ang
binibigay ng barangay. Minsan sabi ko sa anak ko pag humihingi ng pagkain, inom
na lang siya tubig para ma-survive ang gutom.” (Mary (Rose’s mother), female, 49
years-old, Malabon City)
“The food aid given
by the barangay is insufficient. Sometimes when my children ask for food, I
just tell them to drink lots of water so that they can endure their hunger and
survive.” (Mary (rose’s mother) female, 49 years-old, Malabon City)
Since the
implementation of General Community Quarantine (GCQ), Rose and her family were
able to go back to selling and distributing Sampaguita garlands. However, it
would take them 8 to 9 hours of walking every day since there is no public
transportation. They also mentioned that as of now there is little profit from
selling since the pandemic has caused the closure of many business
establishments.
