Relief will continue during Christmas season

One month after the start of its relief efforts in the Philippines, Malteser International – the Order of Malta’s worldwide relief agency – has been able to deliver aid to thousands of Typhoon Haiyan survivors on the islands of Samar and Bantayan. In the first four weeks, the Philippine Association of the Order of Malta and Malteser International provided affected families with 4,000 packages of food, household items and hygiene kits. On Samar, the Order’s humanitarian agency distributed 800 tarpaulins for emergency shelters. Ten large-capacity tents have been set up on both islands to house emergency healthcare and psychosocial support units.

“Our relief efforts will continue during the Christmas season – people still need our help every day,” says Ingo Radtke, Malteser International’s Secretary General. In addition to emergency relief, which includes the distribution of food, medical care and drinking water supply, long-term recovery efforts are already under way. “Our goal to help them be safer and better prepared for a future disaster than they were until now,” Radtke explains. The water supply and sanitary facilities should also be made resistant against future storms. Malteser International’s experts are analysing the situation on the ground and advising the local authorities on rehabilitation measures.

On Bohol Island, Malteser International is helping families rebuild their homes by providing vouchers for construction materials and technical assistance. There, more than 50,000 homes had already been destroyed by an earthquake on Oct. 15, three weeks before Typhoon Haiyan. The storm led to flooding and caused additional damages.

Photos: Kenly Monteagudo