One year has passed since Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines, on November 8, 2013, affecting more than 16 million people.
Immediately following this disaster, the Canadian Red Cross responded with support from the Government of Canada by deploying a mobile field hospital along with a team of disaster-response personnel to support medical needs.
The field hospital was set up in front of the local district hospital in Ormoc, which at the time, was only operating at 20 per cent capacity due to the severe destruction caused by the typhoon.
Canadian Red Cross delegates worked closely with the Philippine Red Cross and local health care staff to help restore lives and communities.
Within weeks, much had changed with the Canadian Red Cross presence in Ormoc. As one of our delegates recalled at the time, “the streets are lively as shops reopen, children begin returning to still-damaged schools, and infrastructure is being repaired. The signs of early recovery are everywhere, but for the many families who lost their homes or livelihoods, the emergency continues and the hard work will continue for many months to come.”
But regardless of how much work was ahead, the Filipinos never gave up hope.
As Red Cross delegates returned back to Canada, they all had one thing in common – the impact this experience had left on them and the relationships they had built.
The following video provides insight on the field hospital response through the voices of a number of individuals who had the opportunity to leave a lasting and meaningful impact on many lives in the Philippines. Their stories and experiences are truly heartwarming.
Visit our website to learn more about how the Canadian Red Cross continues to assist the Philippines and the local Red Cross in recovering from this devastating disaster.