Yolanda victim to US: Thank you, but Kerry who?

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines –  US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived at and departed from the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport in Tacloban City on Wednesday, December 17, but many people were unaware of his visit. 

Some did not even know who Kerry was.

39-year-old Amelia Alcain, who stays in an evacuation site a few meters away from where Kerry briefed the media near the airport, has not heard about the top US diplomat.

However, she was familiar with US President Barack Obama, she said, uttering the leader’s family name with some hesitation. 

Alcain thanked the US and other countries for the help they have extended to affected areas. 

“Nalilipay kami kay kinahanglan man gud namon ito tungod han kalamidad. Grabe hin duro,” Alcain said. (We are happy because we badly need help because of the calamity.)

Alcain’s house near the airport was washed away by the storm surge caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that flattened countless houses and killed at least 6,000 people. 

“Kun di man ngani bubuligan hin taga iba nga nasyon, di man makaka-survive hin basta-basta,” Alcain said. (It will be difficult to survive without the help of other countries.)

Showing a box of ready-to-eat, high-energy nutrient dense food distributed by USAID, Alcain recalled how the meal, even if it did not taste good, saved them from hunger during the first few weeks after the typhoon.

“Diri kami hiara. Baga hit palaman,” Alcain described the meal. (We’re not used to it. It tasted like bread spread.)

Massive aid

During his brief visit, Kerry pledged an additional amount of US$24.6 million (approximately P1.1 billion) through USAID. 

The commitment will fund provision of clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, food, and temporary shelter.

The USAID team was one of the first humanitarian groups to arrive in the province. Within 48 hours, the team, other humanitarian groups, and the government were already planning how to respond.

To date, the US has given more than $60 million in humanitarian aid, covering needs from the response to recovery phases of the disaster.  (READ: Leadership crucial in Yolanda recovery – UN, USAID)

US citizens

However, not only the US government has extended help to Leyte. Other US-based civil society groups also came to help provide services and relief goods.

One of these groups is the North Carolina Baptist Men, which sent a team of doctors and paramedics to the island.

The day before Kerry’s visit, the group conducted a medical mission in Dagami, Leyte. They provided medicines and basic medical services to typhoon victims in the town, where the health center was flooded and partially destroyed.

“It’s a very kind and wonderful place. They are doing their very best under difficult situations. Folks here are very strong people,” Langston said. – Rappler.com