The letter provides an update on rehabilitation efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Relief goods were distributed across several affected regions in the Visayas islands from March to May. Efforts are now focused on rebuilding homes using sturdy materials to withstand future storms. Despite challenges, 12 homes have been repaired or built with a goal of 40 homes. A visit from NGO partners identified new livelihood and housing projects.

1. Cebu, June 16, 2014
Dearest friends all over the world,
Warm greetings from Cebu!
With this letter we would like to update you about the status of the rehabilitation project for the victims
of the typhoon Haiyan. The activities are really many!
In Cebu, we received last March two big containers of relief goods coming from the Focolare friends in
Ireland, and also several boxes coming from US, Switzerland and Australia. After two months, at the end
of May, we were able to repack and deliver the goods to many different towns and villages affected by
the supertyphoon in the Visayas islands: Bantayan, San Remegio, Medellin in northern Cebu, Bohol,
Abuyog, Tacloban, Tanauan, Palo, Ormoc, Baybay in Leyte, Sigma and Kalibo in Panay.
Many families received goods which will help them to support their primary needs: non perishable food,
blanquets, mattresses, bed sheets, shoes, clothes and stuff toys for children. Part of these goods was
sent also to the victims of the earthquake in Bohol Island, and to some families of Lorega, a slum area in
Cebu which was completely destroyed by fire at the beginning of May.
All this work would have not been possible without the generous help from many people who gave their
time and efforts in Cebu and in the other islands where the goods arrived.
Now, since the demand of relief goods has diminished, we are focusing on projects for repairing and
rebuilding of houses so as to give people a chance to live in better conditions. In fact, we chose to build
houses made of strong and long lasting materials that will possibly withstand other typhoons, which are
very frequent here in the Philippines.

2. The difficulties and challenges we encounter are many. For example: construction materials supply is
very scarce and the prices are high, we have difficulty in delivering them, the rainy season has just
started, skilled workers are few, and we also experience frequent blackout. In spite of all this, however,
we are going ahead with our projects: 12 houses are repaired, built and under construction nearing to
completion. Our goal is to arrive at 40 houses and even more!
During the first week of June we had also the joy of the visit of Stefano and Andrea from AMU and AFN,
two NGOs of the Focolare Movement. This visit was already planned since January, in order to evaluate
together how we are proceeding and to envision new perspectives.
The visit has been very important and fruitful! The most important results are the project of building
rows of houses for typhoon victims who do not possess a land, in Sigma, Panay island, and various
projects of livelihood for small farmers. These projects will be implemented with the donations collected
by AFN and AMU, and also with some contribution from Caritas Italiana.
Here attached are two power points with pictures of the activities we are engaged in:
 Distribution of relief goods
 Status of the houses under construction or completed at the beginning of June 2014.
Thank you again for your support, both moral and material one! We count on your unity to go ahead in
this big project and provide a livable life to many families affected by the typhoon.
Wishing you all the best,
The Project Haiyan rehabilitation team in Cebu

3. TYPHOON HAIYAN PROJECT

4. family of GUILLERMO
New Washington , AKLAN PHILS.

5. family of EDWIN
New Washington , AKLAN PHILS.

6. The blessing of the
new house of Edwin’s
family

7. MINX
Estancia Kalibo , Kalibo AKLAN
PHILS.

8. FERNANDA
Sigma Capiz, Roxas City , Phils.

9. The partecipation of Sigma
community during our visit

10. family of JOVIMEN
Altavas, AKLAN , PHILS.

12. family of ZENY TOLORIO
San Sotero , Javier , SO. LEYTE,
PHILS.

13. family of PEPE
V & G. Village, TACLOBAN CITY,
PHILS.

14. family of VIVIEN
V & G Village, TACLOBAN CITY ,
PHILS.

15. family of ZONIA
Lolita Village, TACLOBAN CITY,
PHILS.

17. family of MARIBETH
V & G Village, TACLOBAN CITY ,
PHILS.

19. LUCIA
Madridejos, Bantayan Island,
Cebu, Phils.

20. Ako si Lucia Tayod,
Nga inyong gitabangan sa akong balay. Daghang salamat sa inyong tanan nga
inyo akong gikaloy-an.
Salamat kaayo intawon sa inyong tanan.
I am Lucia Tayod whom you have helped rebuilt my house.
Thank you very much to all of you that you have felt pity on me.
Thank you very very much with all my heart to each of you.
Io sono Lucia Tayod , che voi avete aiutato a ricostruire la mia casa.
Grazie mille a voi tutti che avete sentito pietà di me. Ringrazio con tutto il
cuore ciascuno di voi.

21. Distribution of relief goods
march-may 2014

36. Arrival of the goods in the northern
part of Cebu:
Bantayan Island
San Remegio
Medellin

37. After four hours of road from Cebu City
we reach the northern part of the island

39. With the truck we take the boat going to
Bantayan Island

40. The team of volunteers from Cebu who
helped in the distribution of the goods

41. The two boss of the operation!

47. Medellin and San Remegio

50. Distribution of the goods in
Bohol Island for the people
affected by the earthquacke last
october 15, 2013