Young Yolanda survivors: We don’t just want money and gifts

Rappler.com

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Two months after Typhoon Yolanda, children hope to be educated so that they could properly prepare for future disasters

 TEACH ME. Child refugees from Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) want to rebuild their homes stronger. Photo submitted by Save the Children

MANILA, Philippines – Two months after Typhoon Yolanda, children hope to be educated so that they could properly prepare for future disasters. 

The report, ‘See me, Ask me, Hear me‘, found that children want to be better prepared before the next emergency and better informed after it.

Children recalled that days before the typhoon, they were hearing the warning signs, but could not fully understand the impending danger. They did not expect the waves to reach such devastating heights. 

“Storm surge” and other similar terms left them confused, the report said. 

“We need help to rebuild and to rise from this disaster. We need education so that we are ready for when disasters come to our country. We don’t just want money and gifts. We need you to help us stand again on our own feet,” 15-year Sofia said. 

Life skills

Older children even hope to take classes on life skills such as building shelters, environmental sciences, and fishing. 

Children who survived the super typhoon urged the government and aid agencies to include their inputs in the assessment of the disaster, according to a report by Save the Children (STC).

“The children overwhelmingly told us that they want to play a role in planning for emergencies, and that they need to be better prepared for the next disaster,” said STC Philippines Country Director Ned Olney.

“The recovery process is not just about providing vital aid to affected communities, but ensuring that we build back better, and the input of children is critical to this,” said Olney. 

The STC report recommended that both government and aid agencies develop programs and early warning systems that can help children prepare for a disaster. STC staff together with other NGOs interviewed 174 children and young people affected by the typhoon.

Typhoon Yolanda affected at least 14.2 million people, killing more than 6,000 people and leaving more than 4 million homeless. – Rappler.com

 

 – Rappler.com

 

 

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