Ten years since Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) [Philippines]
On November 8 ten years ago, unprecedently violent Typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as Haiyan, swept through central Philippines. SEEDS Asia pay our respect to those who passed away from it and send condolences to those who lost their loved ones.
Today, the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Visayas (Region VII) held an anniversary event to commemorate the tenth year since Typhoon Yolanda, in a town called Daanbantayan which was one of the most heavily affected by the Typhoon. SEEDS Asia also took part in the planning of the event and the presentation of other Asian countries’ initiatives of disaster commemoration.
DepEd officials, teachers, and students who were affected by the disaster gathered together to reflect on their experiences. Participating students also engaged in storytelling, essay-writing, poster- and slogan-making, to express their experiences and wishes for the future. All were observed to be determined to build disaster-resilient society by passing their lessons learned from the Typhoon onto the next generation.
SEEDS Asia began to work with DepEd Region VII in a humble activity to provide emergency support for Typhoon-affected students in 2014. For the past ten years, the small seeds we planted together have blossomed to region-wide disaster risk reduction education and disaster management movements. DepEd Region VII and its schools division offices, local government units, school teachers and learners, and communities, have selflessly contributed to this collaboration in making society more resilient. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the support we receive.
