FIT's Sendong Relief Operations Report

07 February 2012

Clockwise: Unloading donations of hygiene kits from UNICEF | Funds donated by GIZ Management Team were used by Xavier University to buy starter kits | In-kind donations from GIZ-Manila,FIT Makati, and Lifeline Foundation packed at Lifeline's headquarters | Distribution of starter kits

In response to Fit for School’s (FIT) call for donations for the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong, various donors, including Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Lifeline Foundation Support Team Inc., gave Php 242,000. These funds were used to coordinate the distribution of relief items in evacuation centers and affected communities in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, benefiting thousands of families.

These relief items were mainly provided by international humanitarian aid agencies, such as UNICEF and PLAN International, and include hygiene kits, water kits, jerry cans, water bladders, and recreational kits (board games and sports equipment), blankets, and tents. Moreover, various support groups and individuals also gave in-kind donations in the form of clothing, footwear, food, bottled water, blankets, and hygiene supplies.

The distribution of these relief goods was supported by a Cash for Work program aimed to help survivors financially by assigning them temporary work related to the relief operations. In return, compensation was given through cash allowances. Keeping the affected individuals busy and active was key to helping them move on in the midst of the tragedy.

Clockwise: Sacks of blankets and boxes of tents donated by PLAN International | Distribution of hygiene kits | Distribution of jerry cans

In line with these efforts, FIT also helped facilitate Psychosocial Debriefing Sessions to help affected children overcome trauma and get them back to normalcy. UNICE Fallocated a total budget of Php 535,000, which FIT managed and used for orientation, training, and honorarium of volunteers who conducted the debriefing sessions, and for procurement of materials and supplies needed for training of volunteers and activities for the children. More than 80 volunteers were recruited, trained, and deployed inseveral elementary schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Aside from coordinating relief distribution, FIT actively participated in the relief coordinating boards of both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, which were composed of governmentas well as non-government agencies. FIT’s linkages with local contacts and partners were instrumental in helping various humanitarian groups and agencies coordinate their relief efforts.

GIZ, together with FIT, was able to raise an additional 8,000 Euro from individuals abroad, which was coursed through the Community of German Doctors in Cagayande Oro City. This amount and other donations raised by German Doctors, was used to purchase starter kits for 2,000 families in the city. A starter kit consists of the following essential items: basin, pail, pitcher, cups, hygiene materials (toothpaste, toothbrush, bars of soap), towel, cookware, blanket, slippers, and plastic sleeping mat.

While relief operations are winding down, government agencies and NGOs are now focusing their efforts on helping families rebuild their lives. Families who have lost their homes are being relocated to resettlement sites where they can start over again. German Doctors still accepts donations to facilitate this relocation process under the bank account listed below.

FIT would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to its staff and partners who contributed their invaluable help and assistance for the survivors through logistical support, monetary donations, and in-kind contributions.

Summary of donations