VFV has brought water filtration systems and hygiene kits to more than 200 families living in transitional shelters in Santo Niño and New Kawayan.
Thanks to a partnership with Wine to Water — a non-profit aid organization from the USA — families displaced by Yolanda no longer worry about access to safe drinking water or hygiene products.
The relief initiative sprung from VFV’s desire to fill the gaps left by government and international NGOs.
“We did profiling within the camps to make sure services were delivered effectively,” said VFV Director of Operations Helena Claire A. Canayong.
“We saw clean water as a major issue and we discovered the community was getting sick because they didn’t have the money to keep their households clean.
“They were already receiving food but they were struggling with hygiene.”
To minimize illness families were supplied hygiene kits that included soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
“The water filtration demonstrations have also been very important,” explained VFV Assistant Community Program Coordinator John Balanlay.
“If they understand how to use them and look after them they could have ten year’s worth of safe drinking water.
“This is improving the community’s health, especially the children who were getting sick from drinking unclean water.”
Algina Lacaba, who lives in a New Kawayan transitional shelter with her husband, three children, niece and mother, said the relief goods have eased their struggle.
“We are so thankful for the filter and hygiene kits because we have saved money buying mineral water and soaps,” she said.
“We are trying our best to recover but there is less and less help now so it is very difficult for us — it is good to see VFV here.”
Click here to learn more about the game-changing work of Wine to Water!
*Written by volunteer Emma Bailie, journalist from Australia