(ANS - Manila) - One year after typhoon "Haiyan" in the Philippines, the devastation is giving way to works of reconstruction already completed and survivors are retruning to normality. Many areas are still damaged, but the solidarity and hope generated in recent months through the combined efforts of the Don Bosco Network, the Salesian Mission Offices and Salesian centes around the world have helped to overcome the pain.

More than 365 days have passed since Typhoon Haiyan hit the country, destroying everything it encountered on its journey in the space of a few hours. More than 6,300 people were killed and more than 1,000 are still missing as a result of the disaster which affected about 16 million people, of whom at least four million were made homeless.

The Salesians initially provided food, clothing, water and medical care to 40,000 families in Leyte, Cebu, Samar and Aklan East. Even now, a year later, thousands of families are surviving with the help of volunteers and organizations linked to the Salesians.

A few weeks after the tragedy, work started on preparing projects of reconstruction and the construction of new buildings, with the help and solidarity of thousands of good people around the world who gave generously for the benefit of the Filipino people.

Twelve months later, the Salesians are evaluating what has been done so far, based on the four lines of action planned by the Don Bosco Network (DBN).

1. Material Assistance 100% Complete. In Aklan, Cebu and Leyte North, more than 2,700 families received materials to repair roofs and walls and have been able to return to their homes.

2. Temporary Housing, project 85% complete. Of the nearly 500 temporary shelters on the island of Bantayan, East Samar and Aklan, 417 have already been completed and others are under construction.

3. Adoption and Rebuilding of a Community (ARC) almost complete. The community chosen was that of Bat-Barangy Candahug, with the construction of 150 houses.

4. Project for the creation of 11 new schools, all under construction.

• 8 schools in Leyte, 1 on the island of Bantayan and 2 in Cebu.
• 5 of these schools are more than 70% complete.
• 4 are still at the stage of acquiring materials.
• One is 25% complete.
• In another, the construction agreement was recently finalized.

5. Project to provide means of livelihood. Another form of Salesian intervention is assistance to people whose means of livelihood were lost, to help them to return to to normal. Among the areas of activity that received assistance were apiculture, floriculture, sewing, fishing, repair of fishing boats, carpentry and agriculture. More information about this project can be found at the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

Published 12/11/2014