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Issue 11, December 2013

In this edition:

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)

Sacred Heart Conference, Nanthencode

NODC Meeting in October

Quarterly Statistics for Q3 & Q4, 13

National Council Office St Vincent de Paul Society Australia

PO Box 243, Deakin West, ACT 2600.

Ph: 02 6202 1200 Fax: 02 6285 0159 www.vinnies.org.au

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)

Disaster Relief Fund Report

As of November 22, 2013

Even if warnings were posted by our weather bureau that

there is an expected Typhoon with signal #4 approaching

the country, preparations done were not substantial. We are a country beset regularly with

typhoons and a signal higher than the usual signal #3 which we normally experienced may just be

simply that, a bit stronger than the usual.

The local government units evacuated some of the families in the coastal towns and low lying

areas; people made their roofs stronger, packed extra food for safety, and did just a simple wait for

another storm to come. The word STORM SURGE was alien to us because it has never been

encountered and has not been explained as may be life threatening.

So when the typhoon struck, people were caught unaware. Communication was cut off from the

affected areas. We only woke up one day to realize the extent of the typhoon’s damage to life and

property.

Immediately the National Council of Society of St. Vincent de Paul contacted our Regional Coordi-

nators and Council Presidents to assess the situation. The board met and immediately ordered the

sending of funds to the Archdiocesan Council of Cebu and the Archdiocesan Council of Iloilo for

the preparation of relief goods for the victims. Our regional coordinator for heavily damaged Leyte

could not be contacted nor our SSVP members in the area.

Welcome to the last Issue of the Overseas Development Newsletter for the year. On behalf of the NODC, we hope that each of you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

We will begin this Newsletter with a report from the National Council of the Philippines regarding Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that hit in early November following an Earthquake in mid-October.

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Typhoon Yolanda Report cont’d... We therefore mobilized the 2 big Councils of Cebu and Iloilo to respond to the situation.

Our different council presidents started calling the national office to report the situation in

their area. The Board decided to concentrate the funds we immediately received from CGI

and Australia to the following heavily devastated areas not in the limelight of the media but

equally needing attention.

Cebu - Bogo, Daangbantayan, Bantayan Island

Iloilo - Estancia, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Carles

Leyte- Ormoc, Palompon, Matag-ob

Samar- Calbayog

Roxas City- Roxas City

Antique- Barbasa, Tibao, Culasi, Sebaste, Valderama, San Remegio

Bohol - Danao

Aklan- New Washington

RELIEF GOODS Acquisition: Goods were bought in the markets of Cebu and Iloilo as there were not much in the areas of Leyte due to the looting which happened and the scarcity of supplies.

Packaging: A.) composed of rice, mongo seeds, dried fish, sugar, coffee and salt (for Cebu

coastal areas since most do not eat noodles and sardines) B.) composed of rice, noodles and various canned goods plus blanket (for Iloilo

areas) Usually packages are good for 2 days meal for a family of 4 as immediate assistance to families. Areas: Packaging centers such as our Daughters of Charity operated schools and parish grounds.

Packers: SSVP members and volunteers, teachers and school personnel Distribution: From the port of Cebu the goods were shipped accompanied by SSVP members and distributed to the identified areas. Sometimes CLAIM STUBS were issued to ensure orderly distribution to affected families.

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Manner of distribution varied depending on the area using:

A.)Hired trucks or vans

B.)“Habal habal” local transportation or tricycles

C.)Banca or fishing boats

D.)By foot; our SSVP young members trekked to the affected areas with the relief

goods in their back packs to be discreet as people swarm to those bringing

relief goods and distribution may become chaotic due to limited supply and

people were literally hungry.

DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED

A.) It took quite some time for the delivery of the goods by land because they have to make

several stops to clear the road from debris of fallen trees or even dead bodies.

B.) Vans or the local means of transportation has become expensive due to the increase in

cost of gas or fuel.

C.) Distribution of goods to families who line up and wait for hours are never enough.

It always breaks the hearts of our members when they cannot serve all those begging for

food for survival since we were among the first to reach their areas.

D.) Most of the distributions done were direct to the areas where survivors are staying even

In patched up houses. The evacuation centers are already taken care of by government

aid and by non-government organization (NGO’s) hence our supplies were also limited.

E.) Distribution has to be done quickly because by 5:00 pm it starts to be dark and there is

no electricity in the area. At times they had to use flashlight to finish the distribution.

F.) Preparations of written reports usually is delayed due to limited time of volunteers since

the work extended by members are done during days when some of our employed mem-

bers have to be absent from work or be on leave and they have to catch up with school or

office work.

G.)A little delay was experienced when the funds do not reach the councils since there was

no Central bank clearing due to the breakdown of internet connections.

H.)Most of the cell sites broke down. No signal so communication was very difficult.

INITIATIVES BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

A.) In coordination with the VINCENTIAN FAMILY COORDINATING COUNCIL (VFCC),

which includes the Daughters of Charity (DC), the Congregation of the Mission (CM) and

lay groups of similar Vincentian mission, SSVP took the lead in the distribution of relief

goods gathered from donations solicited by various areas of VFCC. Adamson University

was the drop off and packing center and has been in charge of shipping this to Cebu, San

Roque Parish where our SSVP council can take off for distribution to affected areas in

Cebu and Leyte.

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B.) Through our SSVP website we have appealed for donation

C.) From our family, relatives and friends and areas within our influences, we sought dona-

tions in cash and in kind. We made ourselves available for others to network.

D.) We were tapped by other international NGO’s for possible partnership for medium to

long term assistance for Typhoon victims.

E.) Co-sponsored volunteers training session on debriefing and attending to psycho social

intervention of victims specially children.

More than the simple act of distributing goods our SSVP members went to the disaster

area bringing with them compassion, empathy and understanding. They tried to be avail-

able to listen to the hurts, complaints and hopelessness at times from the victims who may

have lost all their possession they have and at times even the people they love. This is a

test of their faith.

The world’s attention focused on the Philippines. We were in news worldwide and our story

and the stories of families interviewed by the press have pricked the heart of every human

being who has seen and listened to the reports. You cannot fathom the destruction that

has brought havoc to our land practically putting all areas or the whole town flat to the

grounds.

Out of our natural reaction or compassion to a fellow human being, everyone extended a

hand in whatever way we can to ease the suffering of the victims. We have felt the love

and care of people of the world. People who have recognized our limited capacity and re-

sources to respond to a calamity has brought volunteers from around the world in various

areas of rescue, health, retrieval and disposal of dead bodies, transport (air, sea and land)

for the distribution of food packs for survival.

With the surge of relief goods, our typhoon victims have appealed now for reconstruction of

their dwellings. This time we want to focus on assisting identified families in the repair, re-

construction of their semi-permanent houses on the land they own. We hope to provide

them with construction materials for their roofing, posts and carpentry. We would like to

budget a total of P 40,000 – P 50,000 per house for 30 families per area for 10 identified

adopted areas or a total of P 15,000,000.00

We shall move per area based on the inflow of funds support. We also want to assist them

in their livelihood based on the needs analysis we can gather from our people on the

ground. For example, fishing boats for fishing community; seedlings and fertilizers for farm-

ing community; variety store or “sari-sari” store or hog raising for others.

A detailed plan will be presented to you on the livelihood aspect. Our main focus now will

be on the reconstruction of their shelter which we hope you can assist us soonest. Thank

you once again for all your help.

Mayleen “PMay” A. Bernardino

National President

Typhoon Yolanda Report cont’d...

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EK T A (Empowering Kerala Through Activities)

Five members of EKTA team led by its President Miss. Gopika, Miss. Malavika, Miss Aswathy, Master Pran & Master Sreejith co-ordinated the function in S H Jothi Centre Kumarapuram, Tvm -11. The function was arranged on 23th June, 2013 4PM by St. Vincent De Paul Society, Sacred Heart Conference, Nanthencode, Trivandrum-695003 for providing relief materials to 30 blood cancer effected children in this institution. Food materials worth Rs 500/- was provided to each child and spent nearly 2 hours with the inmates of S H Jothi Centre, Kumarapuram. This Youth college Group (EKTA) is very much interested in co-ordinating the activities with Sacred Heart Conference, Nanthencode.

St Vincent De Paul Society Sacred Heart Conference Nanthencode organized General Medical camp for the welfare of the economically weaker sections in Cheruvaickal near Sreekariyam, Trivandrum. The function was inaugurated by Fr. Anish S .J. of Loyola College of Social Sciences on 7 -7-2013 at 10 AM . 118 patients were given free blood sugar / BP test with the help of Students of Loyola College of Social Sciences Sreekariyam. The camp was based on Cardiology, General medicine, ENT, Diabetics, Dietician, & Dermatology. The needy patients were given medicines as per the prescription of the doctors. The Camp was conducted under the medical supervision of Dr. Sanoj of Nims Hospital and Dr Sreejith of IMA. The Medical camp was organized by Sr. Sunitha, HAC Nanthencode, Bro. Rollin Fernandez, Tvm Area Council President, Bro Pious Conference President and other members Sacred Heart Conference Nanthencode. The Medical camp came to an end by 2PM.

Dr. Sanoj of Nims Hospital examining a patient

Sacred Heart Conference, Nanthencode

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One of the main objectives of this NODC Meeting was to go through the NODC Policies and Procedures thoroughly and make any updates necessary. Every-one should now have an updated copy, however, if you do not have one and would like one please talk to your State’s OPDC Administrator.

Pakistan - funds are now flowing well through Pakistan and we are beginning to receive good reports from the National Council of Pakistan.

PANASCO 8 - NODC has been asked to present a Presentation at PANASCO 8 in October next year. Brainstorming with begin at the first meeting in March. One of the main topics will be that of Communication between Twins.

Visits - Tony Muir and John O’Brien attended the end of year meeting in Fiji to lend support and make sure that the new National Council is running well.

Role Descriptions –Role Descriptions were implemented at this meeting. RDs for State OPDC Chairperson, State Twinning Coordinator, State Project Coordi-nator and State AAS Coordinator have been finalised, approved by National Council and sent out to the States. These are National documents.

Workshops and next meeting :

Friday, 28 Feb 2014 NODC Brainstorming for PANASCO,

Saturday, 1 Mar for State OPDC Chairpersons,

Sunday 2 Mar for State Twinning Coordinators

Monday 3 Mar (1/2 day mtg) for NODC

Points from the NODC Meeting 18 October 2013

Christmas Greetings from Cambodia

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Country Students

Sponsored

Twinning

Transfer Grants Projects

Bangladesh - $4,320.00 $3,570.00 -

Cambodia - $1,840.00 $700.00 $7,417.00

India 374 $114,640.00 $38,620.00 $17,779.00

Indonesia - $22,960.00 $5,480.00 -

Kiribati - $80.00 $80.00 -

Myanmar - $5,760.00 $1,000.00 $18,000.00

Pakistan - $160.00 - -

Philippines - $21,360.00 $4,570.00 $4,563.00

PNG - $1,440.00 $1,700.00 $4,700.00

Fiji - $1,920.00 $200.00 -

Solomon Isl. - $80.00 - $884.00

Sri Lanka 322 $320.00 - -

Thailand - $10,720.00 $8,150.00 -

Vanuatu 75 $720.00 $480.00 -

Jerusalem - $7,500.00 - -

ECI - $80.00 - -

TOTAL 771 $193,900.00 $64,550.00 $53,343.00

State Students

Sponsored

Twinning

Transfer Grants Projects

Canberra

Goulburn - $7,920.00 $1,500.00 -

NT 62 $800.00 - -

NSW 153 $74,480.00 $22,850.00 $8,052.00

QLD 287 $31,840.00 $37,230.00 $12,938.00

SA 112 $11,360.00 $1,770.00 -

TAS 69 $2,800.00 - -

VIC 81 $45,680.00 $1,000.00 $23,957.00

WA 7 $9,680.00 $200.00 $8,396.00

National

Council - $9,340.00 - -

TOTAL 771 $193,900.00 $64,550.00 $53,343.00

Quarter 3, 2013 Figures

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Quarter 4, 2013 Figures

Country Students

Sponsored

Twinning

Transfer Grants Projects

Bangladesh - $4,320.00 $600.00 -

Cambodia 240 $1,840.00 $400.00 $1,432.00

India 26 $113,920.00 $32,025.00 $2,503.00

Indonesia 651 $22,880.00 $6,550.00 -

Kiribati - $80.00 - -

Myanmar - $5,760.00 $3,850.00 $4,000.00

Pakistan - $160.00 - -

Philippines 295 $21,440.00 $6,935.00 $5,000.00

PNG - $1,440.00 - $4,700.00

Fiji 28 $1,920.00 $2,200.00 -

Solomon Isl. - $80.00 $200.00 -

Sri Lanka - $320.00 - -

Thailand - $10,720.00 $1,900.00 -

Vanuatu - $720.00 - -

Jerusalem - $7,500.00 - -

ECI - $80.00 - -

TOTAL 1240 $193,180.00 $54,660.00 $17,635.00

State Students

Sponsored

Twinning

Transfer Grants Projects

Canberra

Goulburn - $7,920.00 $200.00 -

NT 62 $800.00 - -

NSW 92 $74,240.00 $14,050.00 -

QLD - $31,280.00 $800.00 $7,800.00

SA 21 $11,360.00 $540.00 -

TAS 14 $2,800.00 - -

VIC 843 $45,920.00 $30,250.00 $9,715.00

WA 208 $9,520.00 $8,820.00 $120.00

National

Council - $9,340.00 - -

TOTAL 1240 $193,180.00 $54,660.00 $17,635.00