Compassion International is partnering with Habitat for Humanity International to rebuild more than 500 homes and rehabilitate hundreds more damaged in November when Typhoon Durian struck the Philippines.
Durian, the 19th typhoon to hit the Philippines during storm season, left more than 1,000 dead. Reports placed wind gusts as high as 165 mph. The wind and heavy rains destabilized the slopes of Mayon, the country's most active volcano, sending mud and boulders cascading down, crushing people in their path.
Nearly 40,000 homes were destroyed when the typhoon struck Nov. 30. Many of the victims are still living in tents and shelters. Miraculously, no Compassion-assisted children lost their lives. But 564 of their homes were destroyed and another 832 were damaged.
"Almost 8,000 of our beneficiaries have had their lives ripped apart by this natural disaster and that's why it's of utmost importance that we act," says Bob Thorp, Compassion Program Manager. "While we are thankful that many of our Compassion-assisted children have been able to return to our programs and have access to basic necessities, we know a lot more needs to be done. Compassion is committed to ensuring their lives are fully restored."
The Philippine branches of Compassion and Habitat signed a memorandum of cooperation Feb. 15 to rebuild those homes. Compassion will provide most of the resources and coordinate the overall project. Compassion has already collected $250,000 for the effort, but needs at least $600,000 more. Habitat will also raise funds. It is providing project management and technical oversight of the work.
"This partnership opens windows of opportunities for Compassion International and Habitat for Humanity Philippines to work in unity and use each of its core competencies to alleviate poverty in the Philippines," says Bert Jugo, chief executive of HFH Philippines. "Compassion International-assisted communities can now provide decent housing with the help of Habitat, while the communities built by Habitat for Humanity can benefit from Compassion International's education program."
Habitat for Humanity Philippines utilizes its core competency to provide disaster response to the numerous Philippine families who are now homeless. While awaiting relocation sites for those in the endangered zones, Habitat and Compassion will prioritize the onsite repairs to enable the families to go back to their homes.
Habitat combines patented technology with Philippine ingenuity to produce excellent, affordable housing with the use of concrete interlocking blocks and steel frame technology. Concrete interlocking blocks, for example, enable Habitat to build up, maximize land use, and optimize local resources. "They're volunteer friendly, load bearing, allow for efficient building and have a natural, low-maintenance beauty," says Jugo.
To date, HFH Philippines has built more than 15,000 homes and currently aims to build 5,000 decent homes for families in need each year.
Compassion is one of the world's largest Christian child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than one million children and has been recognized for its financial integrity with top ratings and recommendations by several of the nation's leading nonprofit "watchdog" organizations. For information about sponsoring a child or making a contribution to typhoon relief, contact Compassion online at Compassion.com or by calling (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT.
"Francis Basas and his mother lost everything but each other when Typhoon Durian struck their home in the Philippines." Read more.
View a slideshow of recovery efforts in the Philippines.
