LCDE, CDRC and foreign partners continue aid for Yolanda survivors (Press Release)

LCDE, CDRC and foreign partners continue aid for Yolanda survivors

Relief operation held in Barangay Cabuynan, Tanauan, Leyte on December 25, 2013.

PALO, LEYTE - LCDE (Leyte Centre for Development inc.) is a non-profit organization which has been serving the region of Samar and Leyte for over 27 years and focuses on DRM (Disaster Risk Management) activities which include Emergency Disaster Response and Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation. This are all centred on LCDE’s mission to serve the basic and marginalized sectors and their communities by helping them collectively rehabilitate themselves after every disaster and sustaining their efforts for a better quality of life.

Emergency Response

Since Typhoon Haiyan struck last November 8, 2013 LCDE has responded with emergency relief operations throughout the breadth of Eastern Visayas, helping communities get back on their feet from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan. To date LCDE, along with its national partner CDRC (Citizens Disaster Response Network), and foreign donors namely; Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe from Germany, CARE international, Mercy Relief Singapore, Hoper Bridge Korea, Peace Winds and Civic Force Japan, World Jewish Relief- United Kingdom have served over 21,000 families across 13 towns and 56 barangays in Region VIII.

Among the first wave of relief operations were the distribution of basic commodities consisting of 10 to 25 kilos of rice, assorted canned goods (up to six cans per relief pack), 1 kilo of dried fish, tarpaulin sheets for roofing, used clothing and packs of cooking oil and salt while some selected areas also received tents.

Rehabilitation

Presently, LCDE has now transitioned from relief operations to early recovery assistance which involves distribution of shelter repair kits, rice and vegetable seeds, farm tool sets across multiple project areas and is working closely with its national and foreign partners. Livelihood support for the first phase will be realized in at least 65 communities in 11 municipalities of Samar and Leyte. Shelter assistance will range from shelter kit distributions to semi-permanent houses.

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe seed dispersal in Barangay Canlampay, Carigara, Leyte, conducted on March 14, 2014.

Future projects of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe in partnership with LCDE includes the distribution of transitory shelter materials, livelihood assistance and psychosocial services for selected  affected communities which includes  the towns of Jaro, Albuera, Ormoc,  San Isidro and Carigara in Leyte, Quinapundan and Gen Mac Arthur in Eastern Samar and San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao in Western Samar.  

Other foreign donors of LCDe are the following:

CARE international will be distributing livelihood assistance and cash grants to affected families in the barangays of Mabini, Manlilinab, Cogon, Cancaiyas, Bulao, Bariwan, Guirang and Villa Aurora, all located in Basey, Samar.

Hope Bridge Korea has planned distributions of fishing and farming implements in barangays San Roque, Tag-alag, Viloso and Legaspi all in Marabut, Samar, Civic Force Japan distributed rice, vegetable seeds and farm tools through their early recovery assistance operations in Alang-alang, Leyte while Peace Winds Japan has begun shelter-kit distributions in selected communities in Carigara, Leyte as well.

LCDE and its partner CDRC are currently engaged in these five major rehabilitation programs, with their staff serving as ground teams coordinating and implementing said projects by their foreign partners.

By: Carlo Jerusalem 

      LCDE Advocacy Officer