Typhoon Haiyan: 4 months later

[dolina]

On March 7-8 I went around the islands of Leyte and Samar to survey the progress being made in the rehabilitation of Haiyan-hit areas of Eastern Visayas in the Philippines. Although disheartening from a a local's point of view I see that life is slowly going back to normal.


Villa Calicoan by 500px.com/dolina, on Flickr

The image above was taken at Guiuan, Eastern Samar where the typhoon (known as Yolanda in the Philippines) first made landfull on November 8. I have been here before because of the thriving surfing community that I take personal interest in photographing as often as I can.

[Alan]

Hmm - not much left there - building right on the beach is good for the views but not much else.

We've just had one go through Far North Queensland

[Gaz]

Welcome Dolina, a devastating force showing no mercy.

[seaslug]

Very sad. Nature can be so cruel!

[inapickle]

Thank you for the photographic reminder that for many people life has to continue after their disaster has left the news. The photograph shows a stark beauty, but I'm sure the locals would prefer it returned to normal as quickly as possible. The cluster of bare trees thrusting into the blue sky looks particularly photogenic.

[dolina]

Thanks Alan Gaz Greg and ina.

A sign that life is going back to normal is children going back to school at the start of 2014.


Binongtoan Central School by 500px.com/dolina, on Flickr

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qa6V2

[P Plates]

Evocative photos. Glad things are slowly but surely getting back to normal.

[dolina]

THanks P Plates

Surprisingly the most prominent non-profit religious org that helped the predominantly Christian Philippines was the Taiwan-based Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation or Tzu Chi (慈濟) who helped startup the local economy again with cash for work of 500 pesos/day (US$1.00 = 44.80 pesos) for work that involves cleaning of debris in their community. This cash for work program was made possible by shipping hard currency by aircraft to the typhoon-hit areas as banks and other remitting services were victims as well.

They also provided relief materials like that white half pipe structure that serves as temporary classroom for the kids to learn in.


Lingayon Elementary School by alabang, on Flickr

[P Plates]

Love the idea of cash for work rather than just handing over the cash - imagine it would boost the recipients morale.

[dolina]

Indeed it did P Plates.

And still there is a lot more to be done after Typhoon Haiyan.. Below is a seashore town on Samar Island cleaning up the felled coconut trees. These need to be cleared for health & safety reasons and to make room for new coconut saplings to take there place.


Eastern Samar by alabang, on Flickr

[P Plates]

B&W suits this image. That looks to be a huge job and I guess will take some time.

[sejac]

Very interesting shots Paolo. From a part of the world I am not very familiar with.

Thanks for posting. And keep up the good work, and post a few more.

[dolina]

Thanks P Plates and Charles.

We Filipinos are most grateful to the help that came pouring from all over the world like UNICEF. Almost 6 millions kids like the little lady below are most vulnerable from natural disasters like Category 5 Super Typhoon Haiyan. Kids like her urgently need access to safe water, hygiene supplies, food, shelter and a safe environment to recover.


Sulangan Princess by alabang, on Flickr

[P Plates]

Nice evocative portrait Paolo. Hopefully the water, food and shelter are well under control by now.

[dolina]

Thank you P Plates. I hope so too.

Life is slowly going back to normal. The simpler life in the province.

Children are jumping into saltwater from the foundation of the old Sulangan Bridge in Eastern Samar. The day was so hot that one is tempted to join in to cool down.


Sulangan Bridge by alabang, on Flickr

[seaslug]

Wow.. that looks like my kind of water!