Canada aids PH Yolanda recovery through ChildFund

MANILA, Philippines – Canada continues its support for the Philippines as response efforts to Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) progress into early recovery initiatives.

The Canadian government is granting ChildFund – an international non-governmental organization (NGO) focusing on children’s rights – around US $970,000 for children’s education and protection, and for livelihood recovery initiatives in the typhoon-ravaged areas of Palo, Tolosa, Tanauan, and Ormoc City.

“ChildFund is grateful for the support of the Canadian government at this crucial time,” ChildFund Philippines National Director Katherine Manik said.

Throughout the emergency response phase, ChildFund provided safe spaces for children in 13 locations – hosting psychosocial interventions for children, functioning as temporary learning spaces, and serving as the first point for child protection work in the said communities.

ChildFund was the first international NGO to respond to the super typhoon with child protection activities. The organization earlier distributed 500 metric tons of food and non-food aid into hard-hit communities in Tacloban, Palo, Tolosa, and Ormoc in Leyte, Bantayan in Northern Cebu, and Roxas City in Capiz.

Canada’s support through ChildFund will allow further work with affected communities. Future initiatives of the organization include engaging 360 local government units and local leaders to improve children’s protection projects.

Around 7,200 pre-school and primary school-aged children will be directly assisted into school. Efforts to improve access to education in communities will also indirectly benefit 16,000 children. 274 teachers and education providers will also receive training, to better equip them for the current challenges in the post-Yolanda education landscape. The grant funding will also assist 2,000 families with food security through recovery of livelihoods ruined by the typhoon.