A crushing wall of water from Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Tacloban on Nov. 8, 2013. Thousands of people perished. Homes and businesses were destroyed.
The water beached cargo ships weighing several hundred tons. Water devastated Tacloban. But water also is what people need most after the storm. And water is the precious resource being provided by Christians like the ones from Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB).
Baptist Global Response (BGR) is partnering with Carl and Suzie Miller, International Mission Board missionaries in Tacloban, not only to provide water, but also rebuild the city of Tacloban.
Global Hunger Relief funds are making it possible.
“It’s going to take a long, long time for Tacloban,” Suzie said and starts to cry.
The city has long-term needs, “everything from getting water into their homes, to getting a home, to having their schools ready, maybe livelihood, just the whole gamut of getting people back on their feet and helping them to move forward,” Suzie said.
“For that long-haul building, it’s exciting to know that Southern Baptists are going to be here,” she adds.
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IMB photo by Hugh Johnson Wells are an essential source for inhabitants of many of the Philippines’ rural villages. Typhoon Haiyan disrupted this water supply by damaging pumping equipment of many wells and contaminating others. Restoration of these freshwater supplies is a top priority in the ongoing relief effort. |
The Kansas-Nebraska convention enlisted the help of Oklahoma Baptists because of their experience in drilling wells after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In July, a team installed two well pumps in Tacloban and in a small community on the outskirts of the city. Water4, an organization based out of Oklahoma, provided the well pumps.
Instead of bringing multiple teams from the U.S. to build and maintain the wells, Larry Thomas, former KNCSB director of disaster relief, said they enlisted help from local believers to drill the wells. In the future, they hope to see believers trained to maintain the wells.
Joey Rojero, a Filipino-American from Kansas, worked with believers from each of the communities where wells were drilled or repaired. He has been Kansas-Nebraska’s man on the ground in the Philippines since April.
One of the wells that received a water pump is on the grounds of Kalipayan Baptist Church in Tacloban.
The church’s pastor said the wells will minimize expenses for his church and the church will be able to serve the community by providing water. Wells meet a physical need in communities, but they also provide a source of income for the believers who were trained in well maintenance.
“It’s an economic blessing for life,” Thomas said.
“Speaking as a survivor, as soon as you can begin to make decisions and do things for yourself, the healing takes place a whole lot faster and that’s one of BGR’s objectives in this long-haul, is to help people from Tacloban begin to help themselves,” Suzie adds.
Though much has been accomplished through national and international relief organizations, Carl said full recovery is still a long way away. “Long-haul healing is needed,” he said.
Though Global Hunger Relief and BGR’s involvement in disaster relief in the Philippines began in November, their work in Tacloban began in April. After the typhoon, as the world’s attention focused on Tacloban, Southern Baptist relief efforts focused on other areas not in the media spotlight.
Although the work in Tacloban is just beginning, the Millers say the assistance provided by Global Hunger Relief comes at a perfect time.
Some of the relief organizations pulled out of Tacloban in July – the same month the two well pumps were installed.
“I believe disaster relief is one of the best opportunities for people to move from I am a follower to I am a disciple-maker,’” Thomas said. “It’s going to be a catalyst to open a lot of doors.”
Global Hunger Relief funds also will be used to meet chronic needs like medical care, education and food security.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Caroline Anderson writes for the International Mission Board from Asia. On World Hunger Sunday, Oct. 12, Southern Baptist congregations will address the hunger crisis across North America and around the world, many by focusing on the theme “Hunger Happens Everywhere.” Visit BGR at gobgr.org. Donations received are channeled through Global Hunger Relief, which uses 100 percent of each gift to meet hunger needs. For more information, visit globalhungerrelief.com. Donations to Global Hunger Relief can be made at globalhungerrelief.com/giving.)