Rehabilitation of victims' livelihood
Editor's Note: This is the second of a Project Report issued to all funding agencies of the Disaster Aid, which include the Metro Infanta Foundation. The Social Action Center (SAC) issued this report.
Three villages in General Nakar and two in Real have completely recuperated their irrigation systems using the Food-for-Work program. They received seeds, plants and animals. Their food security has improved beyond the pre-disaster situation. In Nakar they are brining their products to the market in Infanta with the new boats (bangkas) they received through the SAC. In Infanta the irrigation system depends on the Agos River. See below for further information.
Editor's Note: This is the second of a Project Report issued to all funding agencies of the Disaster Aid, which include the Metro Infanta Foundation. The Social Action Center (SAC) issued this report.
Three villages in General Nakar and two in Real have completely recuperated their irrigation systems using the Food-for-Work program. They received seeds, plants and animals. Their food security has improved beyond the pre-disaster situation. In Nakar they are brining their products to the market in Infanta with the new boats (bangkas) they received through the SAC. In Infanta the irrigation system depends on the Agos River. See below for further information.
A fisher-folks organization in Infanta with 100 family members has been able to regenerate their bangus-fry income-generating program. They have determined that the initial capital they received will be paid back in order to generate an emergency fund for their members. SAC that will administer the fund and monitor its implementation received the first 10,000 monthly payment. This scheme of back-payment in order to generate seed- and emergency-capital is also used by many other fisher-folks organizations in the three towns. Experiments with cooperatives have been started in Real. So far through SAC more than 50 bangkas have been provided. Another 90 bangkas, completely equipped, are needed.
A very promising pig-dispersal program has been initiated in the three towns. The feeding of the pigs will be totally herbal. Therefore they are called Herbaboy. This new scientifically elaborated approach guarantees healthier pigs and healthier meat and it reduces the expenses of feeding enormously. The enthusiasm of the poor for this program is contaminating! Also disturbed were kalabaw (water buffalo), small chickens, ducks and goats. Many more animals are needed.
The rehabilitation of the agricultural sector is probably our greatest challenge. SAC initiated a rice-testing program in order to find out what varieties grow best on he soil that was washed down from the mountains that cover the major part of our rice fields. The 40 varieties are in their second month and are measure and monitored constantly. Moreover, an agreement has been made with the development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) that a group of experts will give concrete proposals on how best to use the mud-covered rice fields. SAC hired an agriculturalist expert on sustainable agriculture. In many villages the farmers are trying alternative crops like corn, different vegetables and upland rice. An intensive program of sustainable agriculture has started. SAC bought the biggest shredder available in order to make tons of biomass to enrich the soil. Many poor victims are helped the Food-for-Work program making biomass. The rehabilitation of the agricultural sector will probably demand three years.
A comprehensive disaster preparedness program has been initiated in line with the efforts of the Local Government Unit (LGU). The SAC will make great effort that this program will reach all families even in far-out places. The BCC/MSK network will play a crucial role. Our present Christian Aid consultant is an expert on the subject, which is a great help in our efforts. We are still drawing up the material needs in order to make our communities really disaster-prepared. The budget will follow.
The Agos River rehabilitation is a project goes beyond the scope of the SAC. however, we are part of the efforts of the LGU of Infanta to find a concrete scientific solution. A team of civil engineers in the Netherlands is studying the materials we continuously send them. Christian Aid has committed to find funding, when a proposal proves feasible.
The shelter program mentioned before will continue until all victims are housed in shelter that are acceptable in humanitarian standards. At least 1,000 shelters are still needed, which means at least an additional amount of 10 million pesos. NASSA has initiated a housing project on a 10 hectares piece of land in Nakar. In this village 400 families will eventually find decent housing. The Prelature of Infanta will own the land. The people will acquire their houses through small contributions over a long period of time. The counterpart of SAC will be the wood needed in the construction and the Food-for-Work for the house owners.
The health situation continues to be an area of great concern. The poverty of the people and the special health hazards created by the disaster needed constant health care programs. Luckily we have many good doctors who volunteer to help via medical missions ad roving teams that visit eve far away villages. Transportation, food, medicines and equipment will be needed.
Another effort in this field is the psycho-emotional needs of the victims. MedNet has worked out beautiful projects and Inam combines its efforts with acupuncture. However, we did not yet find the funds to implement these very necessary and promising programs.
To initiate, monitor, evaluate and report on all these programs and projects the Social Action Center in Infanta and the parish-based Social Action offices in the region need professionals who are dedicated and well-equipped for their tasks. They need allowances in order to feed themselves and their families. They need equipment and office supplies. In short, all these projects will not succeed unless accompanied by Social Action staff members who wholeheartedly give themselves with energy and the right spirit(uality) to this demanding task. The funds for the administrative part of programs are very limited. Financial support is also needed for this necessary part to complete the whole.
May God bless you always.
Editor's Note: We hope that those who have yet to make a contribution to help aid our hometown will make a donation now! As the above report describes, there more more work to be done. Those who do medical mission, please consider the Prelature of Infanta in your next planning. They need your help and we're sure you have a need to help them.
Hurrican Katrina showed how the American people resond to disasters. The entertainment community immediately put together a concert to generate support. I wish our own enterntainment industry will do the same for our people. But in its absence, let us continue to help our people.
Right now the funds we are collecting is for the rehabilitation of the Mt. Carmel High School in Infanta. We have asked the alumni groups to help in this projects. To date three batches (1970, 1973 and 1984 have responded and we are awaiting the rest of the alumni groups.
If you're not a graduate of Mt. Carmel, please consider making a donation to fund any of the projects as described in above report.
Posted: Sept.5, 2005