Then and Now: Responding to needs in Typhoon Rai-affected areas in Southern Leyte

6 June 2022

Southern Leyte was one of Plan International’s program areas in the Philippines from 1998-2016. Throughout the years, Plan International has worked closely with community leaders, children and families in creating positive, long-lasting change. When Typhoon Rai (Odette) devastated the region, Plan International responded immediately to the most affected areas through the funding of European Union Humanitarian Aid. 

Juliet says she is thankful for Plan International and the European Union for being the first to respond after Typhoon Rai (Odette)
Juliet and Juchiel at the small business they manage together. 

We met mother and daughter Juliet and Juchiel during one of our field visits to Pintuyan, Southern Leyte. They were in a small makeshift shelter which they used to set up their small business. 

The typhoon partially damaged their home, and the relief funds from the government were not enough to cover all the repairs. Instead, they decided to use some of the funds to restart their business which was wiped out by the typhoon. 

Juliet said that she holds Plan International close to her heart. Aside from receiving aid from the organization after the onslaught of Typhoon Rai, Juchiel was once a sponsored child under Plan International’s programs during her preschool years. “We were so happy to see that Plan International came back for us after the typhoon,” said Juliet, “Plan International and the EU were the first to help us after Odette.” 

Southern Leyte was one of Plan International’s program areas in the Philippines from 1998-2016. Throughout the years, Plan International has worked closely with community leaders, children and families in creating positive, long-lasting change. 

When Typhoon Rai (Odette) devastated the region, Plan International responded immediately to the most affected areas through the funding of European Union Humanitarian Aid. 

Through the European Union’s REACH (Response to Unmet Humanitarian needs of the Most Vulnerable Populations in Mindanao and the Visayas affected by Conflict, Disasters, and the Covid-19 pandemic), we are able to reach over 3,000 families in Southern Leyte who were affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette). 

Juliet says she is thankful for Plan International and the European Union for being the first to respond after Typhoon Rai (Odette)
Juliet says she is thankful for Plan International and the European Union for being the first to respond after Typhoon Rai (Odette) 
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