ShelterBox Relief Camps set up in the Philippines

A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) is setting up ShelterBox relief camps on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines with help from the Philippines Air Force, Navy and Marines, who are assisting in loading and transporting prepositioned ShelterBoxes from the Filipino city, Clark, to the flood struck island. 

Typhoon Washi hit Mindanao on 16 to 18 December, devastating the cities of Cagayan do Oro and Iligan and killing over 1,200 people. Fresh floods brought more misery to the southern Philippines on 28 December forcing more people into evacuation centres. 

72-year old Anita Rollejos survived with her 34-year old son Danilo and her grandchildren and they are now living in a ShelterBox tent in the Iligan camp. 

‘Me and my husband, Antonio, went to safer grounds as the water was rising so fast but Antonio went back to get some of our belongings and never returned,’ said Anita. ‘My son also lost his wife. Although we are mourning at least we are safe now thanks to ShelterBox.’ 

Lenida also lost her husband during the storm and is living with her children at the ShelterBox camp in Cagayan de Oro. 

‘Our house went down like a deck of cards and so many banana trees swept through it,’ said Lenida. ‘We all held onto a trunk that saved us as it kept us floating above the water. We want to thank ShelterBox for giving us a new home.’ 

Rotarian Jess Nicdao of ShelterBox Philippines has been supporting SRT Volunteers and working with the country’s military to distribute emergency shelter. 

‘The Navy has also offered to provide transport for future deliveries of ShelterBoxes and tents from the ports to any destination in the Philippines,’ he said. ‘This is the first time we have had assistance from the military here and is an invaluable partnership.’ 

ShelterBox continues to deliver ShelterBoxes and tents to families affected by the floods with support from local Rotarians and aid agencies including the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

View more photos from the Philippines on the ShelterBox Flickr page here.