Surviving and smiling...

It has been two months since Typhoon Reming hit the Province of Albay killing hundreds of people and destroying thousands of homes. Around Mt Mayon the heavy rains mixed with volcanic ash to create a mudslide and flash flooding that wiped out scores of villages. More than 100,000 people were displaced and have been living in evacuation centres and transit centres since December.

I spent the last 3 days in Albay visiting the centres and meeting government agencies. The trip was interesting but overwhelming, mainly due to the tragic stories I heard...a mother who lost 4 children and her husband in the flash floods; an older sister who saw both her parents swept away by mud and is now looking after her 6 siblings; a husband who could not rescue his wife from being crushed by falling boulders....

Amazingly, life goes on...people are now living in either school buildings or small shelters and tents in transit camps. Schools has resumed with classes held in tents or any other space available. There are plans for relocating and building new houses but the process is frustratingly slow. Whilst I gnash my teeth at the inefficiency of the government, the people of Albay keep smiling and just get on with it.