Dear Magnanimous Benefactors,

In the last several years (nine years), you have been part of our struggles against the disastrous effects of climate change (first time in 2007, typhoon Washi-2012, super typhoon Haiyan-2013, etc.). While we have to launch different activities to mitigate if not to stop the disasters caused by typhoons, floods, and drought, we have to help the climate change refugees and disaster victims to survive the day.

Our journey and struggle to build more resilient communities of the tri-peoples in Mindanao (Indigenous Peoples, Bangsamoro and Migrant Christians), have been made more bearable because of your support (political and financial). The total amount that passed through Sumpay Mindanao account is € 18,000, through RDRRAC account is € 29.050, through MiHands account is € 1.000 and through TRIPOD is € 7.000.

This grand total of € 55.050 has indeed made us not only survived but help us to become stronger to face the very unpredictable destruction caused by climate change in Mindanao in particular and in the Philippines in general.

Again, such support has helped us in bringing food, medicine, psychological aid, child care, etc., to the disaster survivors, in rehabilitating disaster-stricken communities, in rebuilding and repairing destroyed homes and livelihoods, in helping peasants, fisherfolk, urban poor, women to organise themselves to better control their future.

In some areas (agricultural), we have introduced the organic agriculture methods in farming, which help us answer the immediate needs for food and also ensure that our food resource base is being rehabilitated/reforested so that the whole productive activities will be sustainable. We specifically helped coastal communities to replant mangrove forests and reinforce the rights of small fisherfolk. In all areas, we supported the constitution of women’s association enhancing their collective and individual capacities.

All of these mitigation and rehabilitation activities have been made easier because of your consistent accompaniment on our journey to build more resilient and disaster-free communities in Mindanao and Leyte – where the super-typhoon struck a population, which was already among the poorest in the archipelago.

In Mindanao, the impact of these activities is also helping us build better communities among the Bangsamoro (Muslim), the Indigenous Peoples (Lumad) and the Migrant Settlers (Christians). And in building resilient communities among and between the three peoples in Mindanao, the support also helps us build the social foundation for sustainable peace in this part of our country, torn apart by so many military conflicts.

In behalf of the board, staff and member organizations of MiHANDs, I say thank you – and thanks to all those who sent donations to ESSF in support of humanitarian disasters survivors.

May your breed grow together with us.

Sincerely yours,

Yennah Torres
Chairperson of the Board
MiHANDs, Inc.