World CARP Mindanao Philippines: Aid and support to victims Typhoon Ulysses

The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace – Philippines (IAYSP-Philippines) together with the HJ-Youth Leadership Training International (HJ-YLT International) went to Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal last November 29-30, 2020 to conduct its service project and community service in order to offer aid and support to the affected families of Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco), which hit the Philippines last November 12, 2020. The said project entitled, “True Love in Action: Tulong-tulong sa Pagbangon”, was spearheaded by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and Universal Peace Federation in partnership with Womens Federation for World Peace (WFWP), in cooperation with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Brgy. Daraitan and support from World Tong Il Moo Do Federation and International Peace Leadership College.

Daraitan is a barangay belonging to the municipality of Tanay, province of Rizal in the Region IV CALABARZON area in the Philippines. Approximately it has 2000 families of which 150 were largely affected and damage, 363 of which were partially damage, and 36 of which were lightly damage. According to the Local Government Unit of Brgy. Daraitan, data showed there are also large sources of economic infrastructure and agriculture greatly destructed and damage in the area, like calamansi and coconut plantation. One death was reported in the barangay.

There are about 150 families who were recipients of the aid and support. Rice, basins and pails were given to at least help them provide their basic needs for days. There were also 20 families who received mini stove and galvanized roofs to help them start restructuring their houses under the initiative of HJ- YLT International.

Moreover, 32 young volunteers from IAYSP-Philippines, HJ-YLT International, World Tong-Il Moo Do

Federation and International Peace Leadership College joined and participated in the relief giving operation and community service. Community service involved cleaning houses greatly destructed by the typhoon.

Indeed, it was a great experience of the young people to emerge one selves in the community especially in times like this. Young volunteers who participated have deeper realizations understanding the heart of the suffering people through meeting and conversing to families who witnessed and experienced the resultant effect of the typhoon. This led to greater determination in taking action and responsibility especially in taking care of the environment and giving importance on realizing one’s role in the community.

The sight of smiles on the faces of the people gave drive to the young people to do more and take action on climate change and environmental crisis supporting the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals No. 13 on Climate Action. For them, this is not the end of the project but only the beginning.