Homes destroyed after Typhoon Kai-tak in the Philippines
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This home was destroyed after Storm Kai-tak
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Tropical storms displaced thousands of people

In December 2017, Tropical Storms brought devastation to the Philippines triggering devastating mudslides and flooding.

When Storm Kai-tak, known as Urduja in the Philippines, made landfall it released two months of rainfall within 48 hours. Thousands of families were forced to flee after the storm destroyed over 30,000 homes.

Just a few days later, a second storm developed in the West Pacific Ocean.

Tembin, also known as Vinta in the Philippines, left a second trail of destruction. The storm killed more than 240 people, displaced over 70,000 and damaged houses and livelihoods.

A ShelterBox response team was soon on the ground carrying out needs assessments and initial distributions. We distributed a variety of aid items such as ShelterBoxes, shelter kitswater carriers and solar lights to support those families that needed our help the most.

Watch how ShelterBox supported families

INITIAL ASSESSMENTS

Within just a few weeks of the storms hitting, our response teams were on the ground with Rotary International.

Assessments were carried out to find out whether families could safely stay where they were and what they would aid items they needed.

Watch the video to hear from Dave Ray, A ShelterBox Response Team member reporting on the ground.

OUR AID ARRIVES

36 ShelterBoxes arrived in the Philippines for families affected by flooding and mudslides after Tropical Storm Kai-tak.

In this video, a ShelterBox Response Team is marking out the site and planning where temporary shelters can go. They make sure that all families have enough space to live.

The team provided temporary shelters to large families who were previously living in crowded makeshift structures that had no water or cooking facilities.

Watch as Anna Dixie reports from Biliran Island.

DISTRIBUTIONS BEGIN

In this update we join the ShelterBox team in Caibiran, as they deliver ShelterBoxes and help families to put up their tents. 

ShelterBox volunteer, Pat Prendergast, brings you this video update.

DISTRIBUTIONS CONTINUE

This video was filmed in the Almaria municipality in Biliran island, where a ShelterBox Response Team worked alongside local Rotary contacts to provide emergency shelter.

Here we see 229 families who lost their homes and livelihoods after Tropical Storm Kai-tak receiving aid including shelter kits, solar lights, water carriers, mosquito nets and blankets.

Watch the video from Dave Ray who reports from on the ground.

Man in Vanuatu receiving ShelterBox shelter kit following cyclone Harold

We are working all over the world

We support the most remote communities across the world who have been affected by disaster.

We go the extra mile to help vulnerable families whose lives have been devastated by disaster. Our work isn’t done until no family is left without shelter.