Background
Following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Hagupit in 2014, CREST Malaysia together with local partners have started livelihood projects in Tacloban, Leyte and Balagawan, South Leyte as follows:
1. 2 pedicab projects in Tacloban with Omega Emergency Response;
2. 1 tube ice making project in Tacloban with Omega Emergency Response;
3. Seaweed farming extension in Balagawan with Agape Rural Program, Inc. (ARP) under Cru Singapore.
Objectives 1. Medical and evangelistic mission in Jipapad, Samar organized by Agape Rural Program, Inc. (ARP), 06 to 09 November. 2. Seaweed farming extension project monitoring and evaluation in Balagawan, South Leyte with ARP, 10 to 14 November. 3. Pedicab project evaluation in Tacloban, Leyte with Omega Emergency Response, 15 to 16 November.
Team Members
Leader: Olivia Chan from CREST
Treasurer: Jerial Chong from CREST
Travel Events
Activities
Oras - Visit to army camp who will provide security covering while we are in Jipapad.
Jipapad - The river water level is high enough for boats, else we will have to walk to the villages to conduct the clinics and do distribution.
Brgy. Agsaman, Jipapad – Fitting slippers donated by CREST.
Brgy. 1 Poblacion, Jipapad – CBDRRM workshop for representatives from the 4 barangays at the village gym.
Balagawan – Talk on disaster preparedness to villagers waiting for medical clinic to start.
Balagawan – With Vicenta, BFAR-8 Coordinator, and beneficiary, Blessida and husband at their seaweed nursery.
Balagawan – Thanksgiving dinner and hand-over cash sponsorship to beneficiaries.
Balagawan – Team building activity with beneficiaries of seaweed farming project.
Recommendations
1. Medical missions with ARP and Cru Singapore. To continue to participate in their medical missions as it is a suitable platform for exposure and training for CREST volunteers.
2. Balagawan Seaweed Farm Project. The farm extension project ends in March 2017. Recommended to ARP and Cru Singapore to explore the following areas in which CREST can partner with them:
a) Water supply project. Villagers had identified the need for a proper system to manage their water supply which comes mainly from fresh water springs. CREST recommended to them to start small with simple rainwater harvesting at home then only to install communal water storage tanks at a later stage.
b) Implement System for Disaster Preparedness and Response. Currently, there is no system for disaster evacuation and response. The villagers only know that the village school can be used as an evacuation center.
c) Implement CBDRRM. Due to its geographical location, the village is very vulnerable to typhoons and storm surge. DRR is essential for them to be able to cope with the destruction caused by such natural disasters so that they do not have to depend totally on external aid for recovery.
Submitted by Olivia Chan 15 February 2017