When Oxfam distributed emergency aid in the village of Paypay in the northern tip of Cebu on November 15 and 16, photographer Jane Beesley met some of the recipients. Hygiene and water purification kits were given to over 800 families on November 15 and 16 in the coastal region of Daanbantayan which was badly affected by the typhoon.
When Oxfam distributed emergency aid in the village of Paypay in the northern tip of Cebu on November 15 and 16, photographer Jane Beesley met some of the recipients. Hygiene and water purification kits were given to over 800 families on November 15 and 16 in the coastal region of Daanbantayan which was badly affected by the typhoon.
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The hygeine kits arrive at an Oxfam warehouse in Cebu city on November 13. The hygiene kits include soap, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, underwear, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
The warehouse space, formerly used for an export business and now leased out as filming space, was donated to Oxfam by Cebu resident Mani Osmena and her family. “Everybody needs help, and this is the least we could do,” Ms Osmena said. “Why does a charity need to pay (for warehouse space) when they are only giving to help the needy?” |
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Annie P Abenasa (age 31) I have three children, two girls and one boy. They are 3 years, 2 years and 8 months old.
Off all the typhoons I’ve experienced this was the strongest. When we heard on the news that it was coming we were all really scared. We couldn’t sleep just waiting for the typhoon to come. When it came it lasted all day. We lay in our beds thinking we were going to die. The next day we couldn’t believe the damage. My home has no roof, no doors, no kitchen. Everything is broken even our clothes have flown away. I’m worried about the water we are now drinking. I also boil water first but I worry for other people. I don’t think the water is safe to drink and soon people will start being sick. My husband is a labourer but now there is no work. I’m not sure what we will do if there is no way to make a living. I received the hygiene kit yesterday. We’re already using it. Everything is very useful and needed. Thank you. In the markets everything is running out fast. It’s a case of first come first served. Few people can afford transport to go and find things elsewhere and that’s why aid like this is so important and essential to us. I would like to send a message to say. ‘We need your help especially raw materials to build our homes again, for food and water, for medicine for the elderly and children. Thank you for supporting us at this time of need. |
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Encarnacion Brusas (69). I’ve experienced many typhoons but this is the most devastating I’ve seen. I thought we were all going to die. Everything was destroyed even our clothes were blown away. Our house is gone and we are now living under an umbrella and some sacks with little shade. My husband is 84. He’s very sick and can just lie on a mat. I’m the one who is looking for food to keep us alive. We used to have a little bit of land where we grew some root crops but that has now gone. I’ve managed to find a few vegetables that weren’t destroyed and some relatives shared some of the food they had but they have so little themselves.
Today I got a hygiene kit. We have none of these things because of the typhoon. They are much need and very useful. Thank you. Now we need some help to rebuild our homes and start farming again. I hope someone will be able to help us. |
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Herald Postero (85) lost everything in Typhoon Haiyan. Her granddaughter Marietta l Postero helped her through the process of registration. |
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Dolor Moralde (36) and her child were among the 716 families who received hygiene and water purification kits. |
