Typhoons are not new to Bicol (southern part of Luzon Island, Philippines).
The region has had its share of destructive typhoons ravaging through homes and livelihoods, and even taking lives. However, Bicolanos, with their strong resolve, and with help from government and organizations, have always managed to recover.
When Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri, internationally) made landfall in the Philippines in December 2019, Bicol was hardest hit. Over 1,200,000 people were affected and 256,000 houses completely or partially damaged.
Among those adversely affected were the families of Eduardo, Cathleen, Salvacion and Jayson.
The Horrors of Tisoy
Eduardo, 60, from the coastal area of Donsol, Sorsogon recalls his Typhoon Tisoy experience. "As soon as the waves started getting bigger, we started preparing ourselves for evacuation. I was very afraid for us. I knew the typhoon would hit us hard [since we were] living so close to the sea."
Eduardo shares his experience as Typhoon Tisoy hit Bicol. Photo: IOM Philippines
As they were brought to an evacuation center, Eduardo witnessed a roof collapse and could not hide his fears for his own home. “I thought when we come back, we will not have a home. Everything will be gone. I thought the house will be destroyed… my heart hurt. “All my hard work [gone].”
Before IOM-ECHO provided shelter assistance, he used to fix his house with any materials he could salvage. This common coping mechanism, where families rebuild their houses without technical supervision and with the use of salvaged lightweight materials, is strongly advised against and is being addressed by IOM’s Build Back Better and Safer (BBBS) programme.
“[Our house] used to have nipa roofing (palm tree leaves). Now my roof is made of corrugated sheets,” Eduardo shared proudly. Looking forward to the future, “I am more confident with the upcoming typhoon season. I feel safer for me and for my family.”
Tisoy also did the same to Cathleen’s (28) house. “Everything was damaged, even the frames. Our whole roof was ripped off and some of our belongings were blown away.”
A happier Cathleen and her family stand in front of their repaired home. Photo: IOM Philippines
Learning that she was one of IOM-ECHO’s beneficiaries, “I was very thankful to be included as my husband has no proper job. Without the help, we would have certainly struggled to rebuild our home,” Cathleen said.
There is Always Hope
Salvacion, 56, from Nabua, Camarines Sur, felt hopeless when she saw her house—or what was left of it. It was made out of light-weight materials. The wind and rain were unforgiving.
Salvacion can now focus on helping her children now that her home has been fixed. Photo: IOM Philippines
She and her family had no capacity to repair their house. “I’m very lucky to receive such blessings,” she said about IOM-ECHO’s assistance. The house has been fixed and she hopes her children can find work amid the disaster and pandemic.
Jayson, 31, from across Salvacion’s town, recalled his utter dismay when he learned of the damage caused by Tisoy. “As soon as I received the shelter repair kits, I hired a carpenter to install the materials and bought additional materials like plywood and nails.” Jayson was quick to rebuild his house using the techniques he learned from the BBBS training.
Jayson used the shelter repair kits and BBBS training he received to rebuild his home. Photo: IOM Philippines
With the assistance provided to him and his family, Jayson is on to his next challenge—finding a better livelihood alternative to sustain his family’s needs. He also works hard to keep his children in school.
Through the support of the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Plan International, provided humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable families in the region. The project delivered shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food, cash and livelihood interventions to communities in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. 330 families were granted with cash assistance, and another 1,050 families received shelter repair kits (SRK) and Build Back Better and Safer (BBBS) trainings.
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Disclaimer: All subjects and interviewees of this story have given their written consent and willingly given their information, story and photographs. IOM and Plan staff have fully explained that their information and pictures will be used in this story.