Philippines

In November 2013, typhoon Haiyan hit part of the Philippines and devastated large areas of several islands. Thousands of people in a short time found themselves without a roof over their head. Unfortunately, more than five thousand Filipinos have also become the victims of the typhoon. Immediately after the disaster, CCR declared a financial collection and participated in large-scale humanitarian assistance via global Caritas network.

After providing food, water, shelter, the restoration projects in the affected area have followed in the form of renewal of schools or support for agriculture, which include low cost rice cultivation, cultivation of alternative crops and the use of natural fertilizers.

Information about activities in Philippines in 2015 (both in English and Czech) here.

July 1, 2015 Philippines

Visit of primary school in the Philippines

At the end of June, Caritas Czech Republic workers Helena Kotková and Ondřej Suchánek visited the primary school Burgos Integrated School, situated on the island of Samar. Samar was badly affected by Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Hayian) in November 2013.

June 2, 2015 Philippines

Representatives of the Czech Embassy visited the Philippine island of Samar

At the end of May, the Caritas workers and its partner organization welcomed Jaroslav Olsa jr., the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, and Jan Vytopil, the Chargé d'Affaire, on Samar. Caritas workers introduced charity projects to them which support local agriculture.

April 7, 2015 Philippines

“Now we know how to grow fruit and vegetables“ say Philipine women on Samar Island

Squatting, chattering and plucking weeds from the garden. What is pain for one can become a hobby and change of lifestyle for group of Philipine women. “Here are eggplants, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and there are papayas and traditional citrus fruit calamondin,“ points Zaltia Macatimpag proudly toward plants. She is in charge of a collective organic garden and tends it together with more than forty women.

March 20, 2015 Philippines

Children in the Philippines are back in class

"The school looks frightful.  Even after a year since  typhoon Haiyan, some buildings remain  without a roof, and the classrooms are  unequipped. Teachers were writing  learning material  on a sheet of paper or wood stuck to a wall instead of a blackboard", Melinda Gad-Tabuco explained after her  first visit to the school in July 2014. As an adminstrator, she was in charge of reorganizing  the Integrated School in Burgos. But everything had  changed.

December 5, 2014 Philippines

Caritas Philippines is getting ready for typhoon Ruby

The Catholic Church together with Nassa/ Caritas Philippines started preparing for the possible devastating impact of typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) that is approaching to Philippine Islands from the east. Nassa/Caritas Philippines donated 1,954 million of Philippines Pesos from the Church fund for special events/occasions and also from Caritas International funds so that it would be possible to buy what is needed for areas threatened with the typhoon.

November 14, 2014 Philippines

„We obligated to help“

Says Kelly Schut, a Caritas Czech Republic representative who arrived in the Philippines in January 2014. Three years ago she was working on charity projects in Indonesia. In the autumn of 2013 she returned to the Netherlands, her mother country. After typhoon Haiyan afflicted the Philippines, Caritas Czech Republic was looking for project manager to work there. Kelly accepted the post and departed for the Philippines. In following interview she describes her experience and charity work on Samar Island.