I.

TZU CHI FOUNDATION

Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Republic of China or Tzu Chi
Foundation,literally "Compassionate Relief", is a Taiwanese international humanitarian and
non-governmental organization (NGO) with over 10 million members worldwide throughout 47
countries. It is operated by a worldwide network of volunteers and employees and has been
awarded a special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The Tzu Chi Foundation was founded by Master Cheng Yen, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun,
or Bhikkuni, in 1966 as a Buddhist humanitarian organization. The foundation has several sub-
organizations such as the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) and also the Tzu Chi
Collegiate Youth Association (Tzu Ching) ,Tzu Chi volunteers and relief workers are mostly
recognizable worldwide by their blue and white uniforms called, in Chinese: , lntin
biyn, ( lit. 'blue sky, white clouds'). The foundation's work includes medical aid, disaster relief,
and environmental work such as recycling. While Tzu Chi has a policy of being secular in its
humanitarian work, Dharma teachings are often integrated into its practices for volunteers.
Cheng Yen is considered to be one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Taiwanese Buddhism, and
Tzu Chi itself is considered to be one of the "Four Great Mountains", or four major Buddhist
organizations of Taiwanese Buddhism along with Fo Guang Shan, Dharma Drum Mountain,
and Chung Tai Shan.

1. A PLACE TO CALL A HOME By: Tzu Chi

The Suase family is one of the first 100 beneficiaries of the prefabricated houses constructed by Tzu
Chi Foundation in Barangay San Jose, Palo municipality. Last Dec 18, the family started to move
their belongings from the bunkhouse to their new homes.

Anatalio Sause is one of the many individuals who were very much excited to move in to the
prefabricated house units that Tzu Chi Foundation is installing in Barangay San Jose in Palo, Leyte.
After super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the province of Leyte hard, the Sauseses home was
completely wiped out leaving the family with no idea where to start again.

Luckily, the government built transitional bunkhouse for families left homeless by the disaster. For
months, Anatalios family lived in one unit of these bunkhouses in Barangay Tacuranga. However,
according to Anatalio, the houses are not the most comfortable place to live in.

It was too small that we have a hard time moving around. We dont even have our own toilet or
kitchen inside the house, Anatalio mentions. It was not the kind of house he wants for his children.
However, Anatalio doesnt have the means to build a better one; and so he just prayed as hard as he
worked that one day, his family will live normally again.

Anatalio supports his family by driving a pedicab (rickshaw). On good days, he earns more than
Php200 a day; but the daily Php60 pedicab rent will have to be deducted from it.

This year, Tzu Chi Foundation conducted a series of surveys to identify the families that are in need
of houses. By that time, the Buddhist charity group was already preparing for the donation and
installation of 3,000 prefabricated houses to typhoon victims in Palo, Ormoc and Tacloban City. When
he qualified to become a beneficiary, Anatalio almost jumped in joy.

His blessings seem to flow continuously from then.

In October, he was also chosen to benefit from Tzu Chi Foundations donation of pedicabs to the
heads of 200 families affected by the storm. This program was in partnership with the television
program, Failon Ngayon and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Aside from this, Anatalio also became a participant for Tzu Chi Foundations cash-for-work program
in Palo. Together with hundreds of other Palo and Tacloban locals, Anatalio learned to install the units
of temporary houses for his family and for the many others who lost their homes to typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan).

After roughly three months of working at the housing site, Anatalio and his family began to reap new
blessings. On December 18, along with 99 other families, the Sauseses finally moved in to a 21-square
meter prefabricated house unit at the Palo Tzu Chi Great Love Village. Their new home has a living
room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and toilet, and a solar panel unit for their electricity supply.

Now that Ive seen all the houses we have worked hard to build in the last months, I feel as if all the
weariness has gone away. We will take care of these houses because Tzu Chi Foundation gave these
to us, Anatalio says.
Meanwhile, his wife, Amelitas tears freely flowed out of happiness. This is the most beautiful gift
we have received for Christmas and I am truly happy, she says.

Ariel, the couples 23-year-old son, on the other hand, has already made up plans for their wide
backyard. I will grow vegetables here so that not only us but also our neighbours will benefit, he
says.

Another family beneficiary is that of Ruel and Gemma Fabi. The couple has been preparing for the
day they will move in to Tzu Chis prefabricated house unit by saving their profit from their small
variety store and Ruels income from working at a construction.

For us, this is the beginning of a new life, says Ruel.

We will be celebrating Christmas and welcome a new year in Tzu Chi Great Love Village, Gemma
excitedly adds.

In an interview, Ruel recounted how his family was affected by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). We lost
our home along with our livelihood. Ruel used to be a farmer.

In spite of the tragedy they went through, the couple is still grateful that they still have their two
children to celebrate the coming holidays with.

On December 18, the couple were busy preparing the living area of their new home. They also
prepared the rooms of their children using the Jing Si multipurpose foldable beds and thermal
blankets that Tzu Chi Foundation has given each of the house recipients as house-moving gift.

With all the love they feel coming from the Tzu Chi volunteers and donors from all over the world,
45-year-old Delia Coritana said the words thankful will never be enough to describe her gratitude.
Now she feels much safer in her familys new home; thanks to Tzu Chi Foundation.

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has left an indescribable fear in Delia every time a storm passes by their
province. According to her, the howling winds and the rain only brings back the nightmare of typhoon
Yolanda (Haiyan) in her memory. The storm surges that the last super typhoon brought ashore killed
his husband and a child.

We are lucky because Tzu Chi Foundation built us beautiful and comfortable homes for us. Now that
my children and I have moved in here, I can be at peace, the widowed smilingly ends.

The Sause, Fabi and Coritana families are among the initial batch of house recipients during a turn-
over ceremony on December 17. The second turn-over ceremony for the remaining 160 more house
units will happen early next year.

To hasten the recipients relocation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office
(DSWDO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided vehicles for the families.
 2. A new home for a brand new life

The Suco family pose for a photo in front of their new home courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation. They
are among the first batch of families to move in the Tzu Chi Great Love City in Barangay Lilo-an on
March 28.

One hundred and fifty families living in the transitional bunkhouses in Ormoc move into their new
houses at the Tzu Chi Great Love City in Barangay Lilo-an in Ormoc on March 28. These families are
the initial batch of recipients of Tzu Chis temporary housing project for typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
victims in this Leyte town.

Tzu Chi volunteers from Tacloban City and Manila personally help out in loading the furniture and
household belongings of the families into the trucks.

Three trucks, including a military truck, are deployed to transfer the families from the bunkhouse
communities in Barangays Concepcion and Can-untog into their new homes.

Private First Class Jeson Delostrico who drives the military truck says its heart-warming to see the
happy smiles of the people who are moving in. We are also thankful to Tzu Chi because they have
done so much help here in Ormoc, he adds.

PFC Delostrico has been at the temporary housing site and helping out in the land development
among other activities since the project began in September 2014. Hence, he says, it is also fulfilling
for him to see the families finally move into the houses being built for them through Tzu Chi
Foundation.
Meanwhile at the bunkhouse community in Barangay Can-untog, Juanito Sucos family has their bags
packed and their household belongings wrapped in boxes when the vehicle that will take them to
their new home arrives in front of their bunkhouse unit.

Upon reaching house number 136 in the Great Love City, Juanito unloads their things and settled
down. From now on, this will be home to Juanito, his wife, and their two children.

Ever since we have never had a house or a land to call our own, so this really means a lot to us,
Juanitos wife, Maribeth says after marvelling at their new home.

Juanito agrees, adding that he is not only happy that his family is now settled in a much more
comfortable shelter. I am so happy because I was part of the builders of these homes and also its
recipient, he mentions.

Juanito has been working at the housing site as cash-for-work participant since the installation of
houses began in September last year.

But more important than the money they earn from the project or the material help they receive
from Tzu Chi, Juanito says what is so special about being part of this is the teachings of Master Cheng
Yen, which Tzu Chi volunteers tirelessly impart to them through daily assemblies.

We havent met Master Cheng Yen. We only get to see her through pictures, but her teachings are
already in our hearts and we will never forget it. Its where we draw our strength in our day-to-day
work (at the site), through the heat and the rains, Juanito says.

Another housing recipient who is moving in on this day is Fe Jumao-as.

Fe cannot keep the smile off her face when she first opened the door to her new home and began to
move in her things.

Our house even before typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) came is filled with holes, explains Fe of her
happiness. Whenever it rains, the water goes inside making it hard for us to sleep. Now, I cannot
contain my happiness because we will not get wet anymore when it rains. Also, my family can live
together in this house now. We dont have to live separately anymore.

Fe has six children and two grandkids but only two children and her husband are living with her in the
bunkhouse back in Barangay Can-untog. Some of her children had to live with their other relatives
since the bunkhouse units are small and cannot keep them all in one roof.

With the gift of love and a decent home, Fe and the typhoon victims who moved into the Great Love
City today are facing a bright and new chapter of their lives.
II. IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that
provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants,
including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers. As of September 2016, it
became a related organization of the United Nations.[3] It was initially established in 1951 as the
Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help resettle
people displaced by World War II. As of June 2016, the International Organization for Migration
has 166 member states and 8 observer states.[4][5]
It is the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM's stated mission
is to promote humane and orderly migration by providing services and advice to governments
and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote
international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to
migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, be they
refugees, displaced persons or other uprooted people.
1. STORY: A New Beginning in Tagpuro Transitional Site

Children living in the Tagpuro Transitional Site are happy to live in a house again

IOM supported the transfer of 86 families from tents and makeshift houses in Barangay Costa
Brava, San Jose, Tacloban City, to the new temporary shelter site in Barangay Tagpuro. This
transitional site was developed by IOM in collaboration
with Operation Blessing, All Hands Volunteers, Samaritans Purse, the City Government and the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Josefina Jackson (67 years old), one of the new residents of the Tagpuro shelter site, is glad to
have moved out from the tent city where she has been living since typhoon Yolanda destroyed
her house since last November. Josefina
expressed her gratitude for the temporary shelter made out of bamboo and palm leaf roofing by
saying: This may be temporary, but we are more secure here and now we have the luxury of
sleeping comfortably, which we didnt have for
the last nine months. More transitional sites are being developed in coordination
with the local government of Tacloban, the DSWD and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for
Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) for people who are currently living in high-risk coastal
areas.

Tagpuro Transitional Site is accommodating 86 families IOM 2014

Transitional Shelters being constructed for victims of typhoon Haiyan, San Isidro, Tacloban, November
2014
 III. NGO to build 324 houses in Tacloban
A non-government organization (NGO) will build PHP113.4 million permanent houses in the city's northern
village for families living in temporary shelters.
Operations Blessings (OB) Philippines will build 324 permanent shelters in Palanog village, tagged as the city's
safe zone.
The NGO broke the ground for the Community of Hope (COH)-Palanog community centers and market.
The new community consists of a health station, day care room, administration office, youth activity and
recreational area, and the livelihood training area.
The two adjoining centers will be used alternatively as evacuation center during calamities.
According to Kim Pascual, the NGO's executive vice president and chief operating officer said the new houses
can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake and resistant to typhoons with up to 250 kilometers per hour,
incorporating the bamboo cement technology of Hilti Foundation (Base Bahay).
The construction of first 20 houses is now ongoing. Some portion of the new community is devoted to parks
for children and elderly, transport terminal, and a farm.
A deep well will also be constructed to address safe water needs of families in the area.
"We hope this will help the families go back to leading fruitful lives even after the tragedy of super typhoon
Yolanda," Pascual said.
"They have proven their resiliency, and so this project hopes to match their strength, both in its physical and
organizational structure."
The city government here expressed gratitude to the OB staff for helping improve the lives of severely hit
families.
The Community of Hope-Palanog is the first permanent shelter project of Operation Blessing.
OB was able to build a temporary and transitional shelter communities, drilled wells, repair classrooms and
schools and provided livelihood projects to those affected families throughout the Yolanda-affected areas
both in Samar and Leyte.

https://www.radyonatin.com/story.php?storyid=8776
 IV. NHA TAGS 67 HECTARES AS SETTLEMENT
SITES FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS

The National Housing Authority (NHA) has identified almost 70 hectares of land that can be
developed as settlement sites for Yolanda survivors, said Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

In a report to the Vice President, NHA General Manager Chito M. Cruz said the agency has
identified about 67 hectares of national and government land on which they can build 8,433
housing units. Binay said NHA, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
(HUDCC) and other concerned agencies are fast-tracking the identification of government lands
to help displaced families be resettled soon.

He added that NHA and HUDCC, in coordination with Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation
and Recovery Panfilo Lacson, are working vigorously to provide disaster-resilient permanent
homes to the survivors of Yolanda.

"Our mandate is to build disaster resilient homes for families living in unsafe areas in the 171
cities and municipalities along the 50-kilometer typhoon path," Binay said.

"However, the availability of suitable land remains to be a concern in our permanent housing
program for Yolanda victims," he added. As chief of the government housing sector, the Vice
President heads the Yolanda Resettlement Cluster.
Binay said land development and housing construction are already being undertaken in some
areas.

The houses being constructed can withstand 250 kph winds, in accordance with the
specifications of the Department of Public Works and Highways. "About 2,950 of these units are
under construction - 1,193 in Tacloban City, 366 in Tanauan and 200 in Palo all in Leyte; 896 in
Roxas City, Capiz, and 295 in Dumangas, Iloilo," he said.

These projects are being developed in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation, Habitat for
Humanity and Gawad Kalinga. The NHA funds and undertakes land development while the
NGOs build houses, with NHA augmenting funding requirement whenever necessary.

Earlier, Binay called for stronger cooperation between and among government agencies, the
private sector and NGOs to fast-track the provision of permanent housing units to the Yolanda-
affected families.

LINK: http://nha.gov.ph/news/articles/nha_tags_67.html

V.Updates on Project Leyte

After an epic 26 months of working tirelessly to help the people of Leyte recover from the
mammoth destruction caused by Haiyan in 2013, it wasnt without mixed emotions as the team
closed this chapter of the All Hands Volunteers story in February 2016. With over 1200 volunteers
donating more than 460,000 hours to help those in need resulting in an incredible 560
homes/schools/shelters/hospitals built or repaired, we walk away with resounding proof that our
time there has mattered. Not only are communities functioning again, but hope has been restored
both on those who have served and those who have been served. Our work has has
 been broad and our
partners many.

83-C DISASTER-RESILIENT CORE HOME REBUILDING

 The houses are intended to last for at least ten years and use locally sourced materials that are easily
accessible should a family wish to expand their home or repair it following another natural disaster. Like
many Project Leyte programs, volunteers collaborated with a team of 26 local carpenters, many of
whom have worked on previous programs and already have a close relationship with All Hands
Volunteers.
Such a long standing presence in this village resulted in a great relationship developing between
volunteers and the community. Many locals have volunteered while beneficiaries have also helped
in the rebuilding of their own homes. The success of this program was not only enabled by
volunteer efforts on the ground, but also largely enabled by volunteer fundraising.

PARTNERSHIPS ON THE LEYTE PROJECT

All Hands Volunteers model includes actively finding critical local and international partners to help
us get the right work done. Project Leyte excelled in this regard, forming numerous strategic
partnerships with renowned organizations that enabled our work. They include:

Tzu Chi
Oxfam
Operation Blessing
Streetlight
San Miguel Community Foundation
World Health Organization
CCCM Cluster
Shelter Box
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Humedica
Gawad Kalinga
Catholic Relief Services
International Disaster Volunteers
OIM OIM