A year has passed since the most devastating and strongest typhoon ever recorded swept over the islands of the Philippines. According to unfpa.org, about 14 million people have been affected. This has been a trauma for many people, and Filipinos all over the world came together, prayed for and helped their fellow people who have been victimized by the calamities. We are all very thankful for all the help we have received in order to buy and distribute goods for all those in need. This help came from Switzerland and Germany thanks to our local newspaper, Prima Sonntag, and our friends.
One year after, I want to inform you about the effects of Yolanda/Haiyan. Here are some facts gathered from UNHCR:
Date: November 8th, 2013
Deaths: ca. 6,300
Displaced people: ca. 4.1 million
People who still don’t have a home: ca. 20,000
Displacement sites across affected areas: 56
365 days later, recovery works are still to be proceeded. 20,000 people still live in shelters and have no homes, which means, of course, that they still need help! However, even those who have returned to their homes (officially) might never return to their old lives. Haiyan/Yolanda (Yolanda is the name used by the Filipinos) has not only destroyed buildings and nature, but much more, and some things, unfortunately, forever. Yet, the Filipinos have proved their resilience and faith for a better future, although some have lost everything/everyone.
WHO Philippines joins the One Year Yolanda commemoration walk and shares their photos on Instagram, stating that this tragedy will surely never be forgotten. And I think those who have been personally affected or know people who have been, can tell you how devastating the news was for them, and how the tragedy has affected us and our sentiment for many months.
We wish those people, who are still trying to recover from the catastrophe, strength and all the help they need. And may all the souls who have been taken through Yolanda/Haiyan rest in peace.
salamat168 