Baltimore, December 18, 2013 - In response to the need for immediate shelter repair following early November’s Typhoon Haiyan, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) provided an additional 100 shelter repair kits to storm-affected households of northern Cebu Province’s Daanbantayan municipality on Friday, December 13.
Working with local partner Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HfPH), LWR has distributed 850 shelter kits to date, reaching approximately 4,250 people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. By the end of 2013, LWR will distribute nearly 1,500 kits and plans to distribute at least 1,500 additional kits in early 2014. People who receive shelter kits will also have access to a carpenter if they need support while rebuilding. LWR has identified qualified people who are available in the community to help.
Following the December 13 distribution, Alan Rodrigo, age 39 and father of nine children, told LWR staff: “I had been waiting for help and now that there is help I am very happy.” Typhoon Haiyan destroyed his house, and his first priority in helping his family to recover from the storm is rebuilding.
“I am very happy because I can start rebuilding,” Rodrigo said. “On behalf of my family, we … thank our benefactors for having a good heart to help out.”
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the typhoon totally or partially damaged an estimated 1.12 million houses. As of December 13, nearly 129,000 households had received basic emergency shelter materials — such as tarpaulins, tents, tools and ropes — while more than 33,000 households had received more substantial shelter repair kits or cash for shelter repair.
In addition to its work with HfHP in providing shelter repair kits, LWR is finalizing plans for cash transfer activities and distribution of solar lamps in areas without electricity. LWR also is sending Personal Care Kits, Baby Care Kits, School Kits and Quilts, which will be distributed to at least 26,000 households.
While LWR has already reached a number of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan and helped them to begin rebuilding their houses and their lives, additional assistance is needed. LWR is accepting donations in response to the typhoon. Please give online, call 800.597.5972 or mail a check to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Indicate “Philippines Typhoon” on your check. To learn more about donating Quilts and Kits, please visit our website.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945. For more information, please visit lwr.org.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of U.S. Lutherans, serving communities living in poverty overseas.
Contact: Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office); 443-220-3269 (cell); esollie@lwr.org