It has been three months since the world saw how Mother Nature can destroy and kill beyond belief with Haiyan (locally known in the Philippines as Yolanda). I have been posting some posts here related to the calamity, focusing on how we can help especially in the island of Panay.
I still think about the survivors especially during Christmas and New Year. One of my friends, Junalie is currently in Leyte working for an international group, one of the organizations in the area giving aid to rehabilitate Leyte after Haiyan.
When Yolanda came, Junalie was in the United Kingdom. She has been working for non-profit organizations for years and I know how her heart ached when she can’t physically help during Haiyan. Thus, I was not surprised at all when she flew to Tacloban shortly after coming home.
This is Junalie, taken in Guimaras. She really has that charm and magic over people especially children.
Junalie like other social workers are unsung heroes. I asked photos from her just to share to you how the area is doing after 3 months.
Welcome to Tacloban
Familiar images we have been seeing since Day 1.
Roofless infrastructures..
The municipal hall of Palo, Leyte – one of the badly hit areas by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
A glimpse of international aid for Haiyan survivors
Junalie said that Haiyan’s strong wind lifted this silos/tank and dumped into a residential area. As you can see, it is “sitting” on a house.
A familiar road scene when we also traveled to Capiz days after the storm hit Philippines.
The destruction is no doubt indescribable. The images that Junalie sent to me all looked like what I saw in Roxas City and other parts of Capiz days and a week after the storm. There is too much to be done, from infrastructures to the morale of the survivors.
I wish Junalie and other social workers all the best in helping the community. Same goes to the survivors, our thoughts and prayers.
All photos courtesy of Ms. Junalie Katalbas
More about Haiyan/ Yolanda..
How to Help Yolanda Survivors in Iloilo
Reaching Out To Yolanda Survivors in Iloilo
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