ISAR Germany's assistance enters the next phase

Follow-up projects in the Philippines

Super typhoon "Haiyan" (known as "Yolanda" in the Philippines) devastates an entire region in the Philippines in November 2013. The islands of Leyte, Samar and Cebu were badly hit. The whole of Eastern Visayas is terrified and many victims are recorded. The typhoon's wind peaks and the tidal wave it triggered hit the poorer neighbourhoods of fishermen directly along the coastline in particular.

I.S.A.R. Germany helps for three weeks in November 2013 with a total of 39 doctors, nursing staff and paramedics on site. 2,500 patients are successfully treated. A total of two teams are deployed. The treatment site was handed over to another aid organisation on site, which accompanied the long-term rehabilitation. I.S.A.R. Germany's emergency units arrive immediately after the disaster.

The willingness to donate and the support for I.S.A.R. Germany were outstanding, enabling the organisation to carry out further reconstruction projects in 2014. The completed projects are summarised below:

The pictures show general before and after shots. I.S.A.R. Germany itself had nothing to do with these. Nevertheless, the two places mark locations that were important for I.S.A.R.

Alangalang health centre

The "Local Health Unit" (LHU) in Alangalang is the basic, dental, ophthalmological and gynaecological point of contact for around 57,000 inhabitants. The devastating typhoon "Haiyan" (Philippine name "Yolanda") severely destroyed an older building of the health centre, which was previously used as a canteen. The building was last used as the health centre's pharmacy. I.S.A.R. Germany made it possible to rebuild the building and use it properly. In addition to the pharmacy, the health centre's laboratory will also be established here. This will allow the main building of the LHU to be equalised and thus also enable more effective, improved treatment of patients by doctors and nurses.

Cambalading primary school

The primary school is located in the hinterland of the island of Leyte in Barangay Cambalading. The town of Albuera was not visited by many aid organisations as a result of the super typhoon. The damage was also relatively minor compared to the coastal regions (such as Tanauan). Nevertheless, the primary school in Cambalading was badly hit. The school is located in the middle of fields and is mainly attended by children from the immediate poor population, which is primarily made up of rice farmers. 277 pupils and 8 kindergarten children attended the school in 2014. While the parents had already carried out some reconstruction work themselves, I.S.A.R. Germany supported the school in rebuilding the library building, which contains the first-aid room, as well as the school stage. The building was completely destroyed. The school stage was covered over, but serves as a social hub in everyday school life.

Further training events with the Tacloban professional fire brigade

In July 2014, a joint training and further education measure was held with professional firefighters from Tacloban and the neighbouring towns on Leyte and Samar (Bureau of Fire Protection, Region 8). Other civil defence representatives from the province of Leyte also took part in this event. This also enabled the first responders in major disasters to get to know each other better and to better understand each other's working methods.

The training included elements of rescue at height, pre-hospital trauma life support and immobilisation. The motivation and curiosity of the participants was impressive. The three emergency personnel from I.S.A.R. Germany were also able to learn from the approach of their Philippine colleagues. I.S.A.R. Germany will endeavour to maintain contact with the Tacloban fire brigade in the future and continue any support measures.

Support for J.E.S.U.S. Kids - a therapy centre for autistic and cognitively impaired children

J.E.S.U.S. Kids is a therapy centre for autistic and cognitively impaired children. In addition to school attendance for children of all ages, physiotherapy, individual and group therapy as well as counselling and support for parents can be provided. The approach at J.E.S.U.S. Kids is holistic and based on the latest standards of Western therapy. The children are encouraged to become independent and individually developed.

J.E.S.U.S. Kids was set up as a foundation on the initiative of an affected mother. She wanted to give her autistic son an independent future. The foundation lost everything due to super typhoon Haiyan. The building they had been given suffered a total loss. The negative effect and the regression that the founder's son suffered after the typhoon gave her new strength. I.S.A.R. Germany is proud to be able to enable the J.E.S.U.S. Kids Foundation to carry out some repair work. I.S.A.R. Germany also paid the school fees for three of the affected children in 2014 so that they can continue their treatment. I.S.A.R. Germany plans to continue supporting J.E.S.U.S. Kids in the future.