CARE provides immediate assistance to victims of calamities or natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons that leave vast areas flooded. CARE aims to provide the basic necessities (food, medicine, clothing, among others) most needed immediately after the devastation and short-term measures to support recovery and rehabilitation. These measures are done with the help of the staff of Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), church-based organizations, and private individuals.

This year’s implementation was a mandate of circumstances: to implement all remaining funds our generous donors entrusted us with. With these marching orders, off to Tacloban, Leyte we went – this time, visiting three times to complete our mission. Our visits were very fulfilling.

First, we went back to places we helped since Supertyphoon Haiyan to see what changes have been made and what the lasting effect has been of our earlier efforts! Our time frame is always limited so we make the most of our time. Much prep work was done through earlier relationships we have established. With the Divisoria vendors, we were able to pre-order (unprecedented action on their part as they deal only in cash basis and on the spot). Our relationship with them and knowing who we are made this possible.

Our first visit covered schools in the following barangays: Pastrana, Palo, Tanauan, Sto. Nino, San Roque, Maribi, Candahug, and San Joaquin. We met with the principals and teachers of these schools to find out their most important needs. One resounding request: electric fans for classrooms as heat is unbearable! The other request was additional school supplies. FtH ANSWERED THEIR CALL FOR ASSISTANCE!

We visited livelihood projects in place and gave repair assistance. Additional needs by fishermen, sewers, farmers, and pig growers were also addressed.

We supported two extraordinary vocational schools, Keitech Education Center (Kananga) and Paraclete Renewal Center, that train and teach young folks in their fields of endeavors to excel and enable them to create their paths to careers and livelihoods.

In spite of news that hunger is being addressed, we found areas where FtH feeding program was much needed. Two 6-month feeding program were instituted in Palo where FtH also built 20 units of GK (Gawad Kalinga) homes and in Atipolo where our assistance is the only support t hey receive. Tindog Tanauan remains to be our partner and helps with maximizing our visits with the time we had.

Additional assistance was given to the following sites that were immediately assisted earlier by FtH after ST Haiyan struck:
• Bungsuan Elementary School (Dumarao, Capiz)
• Tapaz Elementary School (Tapaz, Capiz)
• Kabangbang Central Elementary School (Bantayan Island, Cebu)
• Sillon Elementary School (Bantayan Island, Cebu)

To recap FtH Haiyan/Yolanda assistance:
• Emergency relief was provided to 10,200 families in 22 barangays
• School supplies and raincoats were distributed to over 15,000 students
• Livelihood projects were created for the affected 450 families
• Three feeding programs were instituted for 320 malnourished children
• Medicines were purchased for Divine Word Hospital, the only operating hospital right after ST Haiyan
• Twenty-five classrooms destroyed by ST Haiyan were rebuilt

In addition to final Haiyan implementation this year, FtH CARE distributed gift bags (consisting of rice, dried and canned foods, and sanitation supplies) to 250 families affected by Typhoon Lando at each site in Umingan, Pangasinan and Payocpoc, Bauang, La Union.