Impressions!

It is difficult for us to write this blog – not because of our situation, but because there is so much we want to share, leaving us feeling overwhelmed at where to begin.  So, we will simply share a few things in this update, along with some photos. In the weeks that follow we will share some of the amazing stories of survival, the unbelievable gratitude on the part of the Philippine people, and the desire to re-build their communities, their homes, and their livelihoods. We will also explain what World Renew hopes to accomplish during its presence here, and how we plan to do it.

We will start with our arrival last Wednesday. We landed at the severely damaged airport in Tacloban. It had very quickly been made ‘operational’ to accommodate the arrival of many urgent supplies as well as emergency and security personnel.

From watching the CBC news coverage of this area before we left, we thought we had been somewhat prepared for what we would see – however, the devastation was worse and of a much greater magnitude than we could ever have imagined. It is all around us! We have not yet travelled to a location that has not been impacted. Over 15 million people are affected, including some five million children. More than four million men, women and children have been displaced.

We want to assure you that we do have a safe place to stay. As we describe our accommodation, think of it as we do: it is a pure blessing to have this place and we are thankful for it! Compared to other NGO personnel and hundreds of thousands of affected Filipinos living in tents, under makeshift shelters or out in the open air, our “home” is luxurious. We are staying at the Primrose Hotel in Tacloban – one of the structures that is still partially standing in this city. We are on the second floor –the ‘mezzanine level’, in a room that is almost 60 feet long and 15 feet wide. The room has been somewhat cleaned up from water damage and debris. Unfortunately, there are only windows at one end and these are mostly boarded up so it is very dark in the room. The generator only works a few hours in the morning and in the evening – just enough time to re-charge our laptops, cell phones, our re-chargeable lights, to enjoy some air conditioning, and improved lighting. Up to ten people per night have slept here on a mixture of beds and mattresses. Half the room is for meetings and office space. We do not yet have consistent cell phone or internet service but that is improving daily. Recently a bedroom became available in the hotel and we have, very thankfully, been able to move into that – it is wonderful to be off the floor and in a bed!

Since our arrival we have increasingly been able to obtain meals as, one by one, restaurants have been able to open with minimal selections. Living in a commercial part of Tacloban, we have witnessed the daily changes as the streets are gradually cleared of the mounds of storm trash.  We are now seeing the buildings being emptied of the damaged contents caused by the receding water. Many people are digging through these ruins for anything they can use. All of the stores are closed due to the extensive damage and this has given to rise to a thriving sidewalk business with many of the streets now lined with vendors selling flashlights, kitchenware, prepaid phone cards, and clothing. Such resilience!

Prior to our arrival, our partner here, the CRC of the Philippines, through the help of volunteers from unaffected areas, was able to distribute 1,000 emergency food ‘kits’ in each of four locations on three islands. We are now planning, hopefully before Christmas, to do a second distribution of non-food items which will consist of such things as a small single burner camp-style stove, a sleeping mat, a mosquito net, a few towels, some cooking utensils, etc.

Along with planning for this distribution and the associated challenge of acquiring these items in sufficient quantities and having them shipped here, we and the team are starting to make plans for World Renew’s longer term presence in the Philippines. While the extent of that involvement will be directly related to the amount of donations that are received, we are hopeful that it will include elements of permanent home construction and livelihood restoration. Donations to date have been wonderful and as we obtain updates on the rising amount, there is much rejoicing and thankfulness.

There is much more we want to share in the future, as time permits. The stories of the Filipino people deserve to be told and heard – some of profound sadness, horror and loss and some of incredible faith, hope and resilience.