Yolanda

The Struggle for Relief /  by John Javellana

People lining up for aid distributed by BALSA Mindanao, a citizen-led action group that provides various help to disaster struck areas.

It was a gorgeous afternoon. The golden light was falling softly everywhere. For a while it didn’t look like a disaster area even if the landscape said otherwise because it was backdropped by a fantastic golden light. 

What brought me back was the sight of people surrounding a truck which I immediately assumed was relief since it’s the only reason I could think of for them doing so. True enough, it was a truck with a banner of BALSA, a citizen-led organisation that I’ve been seeing in other disasters such as typhoon Pablo as well as Sendong. 

The survivors were in line across the highway but it was obvious that there was no clear line. Children, pregnant women, the elderly fought hard against grown men just to jostle for position in their line. Individuals raising their stubs meant to keep the lines in check gave you a feeling that these stubs contributed more to the feeling of righteousness these certain individuals have to haggle each other instead of keeping them in line. You see the faces of the elderly trying their best to stay conscious and not to cry amidst the bruising bodies of grown men. The kids disappeared from sight as they tried to grasp for air within the crowd that dwarfed them. The crooked lines of three became five. And then six. And then it was a free for all that was trying to surround the truck. It was a mob that was waiting to happen.

The natural instinct was to get out and re-group which was a good thing for the distribution team to do despite the disappointment of the residents. The barangay captain was clearly overwhelmed and couldn’t handle the situation anymore even with the proper initial coordination that BALSA has made to ensure a systematic distribution.

Relief distribution is not something as easy as simply giving things away. A system or proper coordination with authorities other than the LGU's might be a good idea for smaller groups such as BALSA which do not have the same manpower as the bigger international aid agencies might not have.

Found - November 25 /  by John Javellana

Rodel Mansalay of San Roque, Tanauan Leyte. Made homeless by Yolanda.

Calling for his wife Vilma Mansalay of Dubai and just wants to show that their children Kevin and Diana are okay.

Juhnil Andog of San Roque, Tanauan Leyte. Still has a liveable home. He is calling for his mother Nila Andog of Barangay Owaon in Dapitan City and wants to tell her that he is alive, not to worry about him and just needs a little money so he could make his way back home.

Zozimo Abando of San Roque, Tanauan Leyte. Made homeless by Yolanda. Calling for Dolores and Charito Conti of Manhattan, New York. Simply wants to say to them “Do not worry, all of your siblings, nephews and nieces are alive and well."

Asdillia Family of San Roque, Tanauan Leyte. Made homeless by Yolanda. Calling for Maribel Asdillia of San Juan Metro Manila and just wants to relay the message that they are complete and okay.

Abas Family of San Roque, Tanauan Leyte. Made homeless by Yolanda. Calling for Mary Jane Abas who is an OFW in Salua, Kuwait and could only be contacted through her employer. Details are in the photo below.

Abas Family in Kuwait contact details. Please forward this request to the DFA if possible.

Found /  by John Javellana

The Lutero family has just personally informed me today that they were able to get in touch with their loved ones and are now awaiting for them to come and bring the help. They would like to thank every single person who shared their photographs. Each click somehow helped get the information through. I guess one can call it as proof that social media even in the form of sharing can indeed make a difference. 

Living With the Dead /  by John Javellana

The rotting stench of an estimated 30 corpses have prevented the residents of Barangay 83 in San Jose, Tacloban from properly rebuilding their homes as they have been fearing for their health - both physically and mentally.

The children used to swim at this spot. It used to be a place where they would just jump off the pier and into the crystal clear waters to cool themselves off from the heat of the sun.

Now they have become “tour guides” of death bringing us to the spots where the dead lay.

“A skull sir, would you like to see a the skull of a baby that has decomposed?” The photographer in me was eager to the possibility of a strong image. The human in me was shocked at how casually the words rolled off his tounge of a young boy barely past puberty. 

The residents of Barangay 83 in San Jose, Tacloban have been trying to bring this matter to attention because they just want to start rebuilding again. But the stench of the estimated 30 decomposing bodies have prevented them from doing so. It has become unbearable to the point that they fear for their health both physically and mentally. They have begged SOCO (spell out the acronyms- people won’t know who SOCO is) and the authorities they have seen picking up cadavers during clean-up operations. The only answer they got was that it was the coast guard’s duty to retrieve the bodies that were ashore. Up until today they have been living with the stench and the sight. 

What personally bothers me is how normal and casual it is for the children. When I asked if it affected them emotionally, a boy timidly answered that he sees the dead just before he sleeps and gets nightmares whenever he goes back. He answered this with such shyness that it seemed as if he didn’t felt like he had the right to be affected by these things.

This is still the reality here.  And this is why I plead for the appropriate authorities to take action.