Post-Typhoon Recovery Predicted to Continue "For Years" - NBC News.com

Thanks to Rotary International for making the reporting for my article in NBC News Asian America possible. The Philippines has come a long way after Typhoon Haiyan (aka Yolanda) but it still has a long way to go. Thanks to all who are helping with the recovery. Thanks to all who shared their stories and their time with me.

“We were housed in a proper building, but you could feel the walls shaking. By the end of the day, we didn’t have a roof," said Sumaylo.

“I was born in a storm path. I know storms. If all the banana trees are blown away, all are blown the same way,” explains heritage interpreter Ka Bino Guererro, “But there was not a single tree standing, even in the forested areas. The coconut trees fell in opposite ways, there was no pattern.”

Post-Typhoon Recovery Predicted to Continue "For Years" - NBC News.com

One Year After Typhoon, Filipino Fishermen Struggle to Recover - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America, reporting made possible by Rotary International.

After Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda) slammed into the Visayas region of the Philippines on November 8, 2013 -- the deadliest typhoon on record to hit that country -- people from across the Philippines and around the world sent relief in the form of food, clothing, shelter, and money. Now, a year later, the Rotary Club of Cebu Port Center (RCCPC) is one of many local organizations still working to help neighbors with reconstruction efforts.

“Instead of giving clothing or food,” said RCCPC President Romeo Toledo, “Because there are a lot of NGO’s [non-governmental organizations] giving away clothing and food, we wanted to do something with long term impact for the community.”

As business people, they knew the importance of empowering communities to support themselves. So they decided to help the local people to get back on their feet with livelihood projects instead of charity.

One Year After Typhoon, Filipino Fishermen Struggle to Recover - NBC News.com