I Barangay San Rafael i Guinobatan, Albay, Filippinerne, har Gemma Corod, en 45-årig mor til fem, klaret storme – både bogstavelige og metaforiske. Gemmas familie overlevede den ødelæggende supertyfon Rolly i 2020. En begivenhed, der for altid ændrede deres liv.
I dag deler vi Gemmas historie; et vidnesbyrd om store udfordringer, robusthed, og håbet om en ny begyndelse gennem boligprojektet Laudato Si Eco Village. Laudato Si Eco Village er bl.a. blevet til med støttet af Mayon-projektet, som vi implementerer med vores partnere ALTERPLAN og SAC Legazpi. Gemma og hendes familie, er en af de 50 familier, som vil flytte ind i boligprojektet, når det er klar.
Gemma’s story
Gemma Corod, aged 45 and a mother of five from Barangay San Rafael in the Municipality of Guinobatan, Albay, Philippines, is a survivor of the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly, which struck the province in 2020. During the height of the typhoon, Gemma’s family did not anticipate a strong current of lahar flooding, as it had never occurred during previous powerful typhoons like Tisoy in 2019 and Reming in 2006. However, the family found themselves trapped, and as they evacuated to higher ground. They struggled to stay afloat, resulting in her two daughters nearly being swept away and drowned by the floodwaters with lahar boulders from the Mayon Volcano.
The intense typhoon caused severe damage to their house, burying it halfway and covering their belongings with lahar mud. This forced them to stay in an evacuation center for weeks. Gemma continues to grapple with the traumatic experience they endured during the devastation of Super Typhoon Rolly. She becomes emotional each time she recalls the memory.
Gemma’s family is now among the beneficiaries of Laudato Si Eco Village, a housing project located in Upper Binogsacan, Guinobatan Albay.
The family expresses gratitude for being recipients, as this relocation allows them to move to a safer area where they can feel more secure and less exposed to various risks associated with disasters. Gemma hopes for a smooth transition. She expects to enjoy decent living conditions in their new home on the relocation site, with access to livelihood opportunities, particularly in agricultural activities. She plans to utilize her existing skills and productivity in farming.”
Status på genhusningsprojektet
Før Gemma og de andre familier kan flytte ind skal de sidste detaljer lige på plads.
SAC Legazpi, vores lokale partner arbejder hårdt på at få gjort boligprojektet indflytningsklar. Der mangler bl.a. stadig opkobling til elnettet, installation af en soldreven elgenerator og at få installeret en soldreven vandpumpe og regnvandsopsamling, samt drænsystem. Planen var egentlig at det skulle stå klar til årsskiftet, men det har ikke kunnet lade sig gøre.
