13 November 2014 – A year after Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan struck the Philippines causing devastation to millions of lives and properties, the Philippine Mission and Consulate General and Filipinos in Geneva joined in the commemoration being done back home by organizing a back-to-back commemorative event in Geneva to mark the first year anniversary of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
On November 08, the same day that Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan hit the country, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, together with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Geneva (UPAAG) and the UGNAYANG BAYAN, an alliance of Filipino organizations based in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, held a mass at the Parish of St. John XXIII at Saint-Nicolas de Flue to remember those who perished from the typhoon. The mass was also a celebration of thanksgiving for the many lives saved and for the rehabilitation and recovery that is ongoing in the affected areas.
It may be recalled that UPAAG, UGNAYANG BAYAN and the Parish of St. John XXVII at Saint-Nicolas de Flue were able to raise a substantial amount in a fundraising event held last November 22, 2013 which were used to fund rehabilitation work in the affected communities.
In Barangay Buluang, Busuanga, Palawan, the fund helped in its mangrove rehabilitation project.
In Barangay Marcilla, Coron, Palawan, funds were used to help in seaweed farming. Seaweeds help stabilize littoral areas along the shoreline.
In the Municipality of Daram, Samar, the funds were able to help purchase fiberglass boats to replace those that were destroyed by the typhoon. This project was realized in cooperation with government agencies and non-government organizations. The fully-equiped boats will be handed over to beneficiary families in turnover ceremonies scheduled first week of December.
A short program followed the mass where Filipinos were given an update by the Philippine Mission on the efforts being done by the Philippine Government on the rehabilitation and recovery of the affected areas.
The Philippine Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva continues to engage with the Filipino community in Geneva and Vaud to realize the many projects in the typhoon-affected areas. It remains actively involved in the activities of the Filipino community to help more communities affected by disasters recover and return to normalcy in the Philippines. END