Restoring Empowering and Protecting (REAP) Livelihoods Post Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda) struck the Philippines on November 8 2013 and was one of the worst storms in recorded history. Almost 15 million people were impacted and over 6 000 died. An estimated one million people were pushed into poverty. While victims received humanitarian relief (including from Canada) in the immediate aftermath the Government of the Philippines has identified ongoing needs for economic reconstruction and the restoration of lost assets and livelihoods. With Canada’s support ADRA and World Renew are advancing the sustainable long-term economic recovery of 6 590 people (50% women) from farming and fishing households in Iloilo province. Project activities include: (1) providing productive assets (on a cost-shared basis) training and savings mobilization; (2) strengthening complementary livelihoods and developing alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on fishing and farming resources; and (3) working with microfinance institutions and social enterprises to improve access to markets financing opportunities and business development services. ADRA and World Renew are working with Filipino partners including the University of the Philippines Visayas SMART Communications and Taytay Sa Kauswagan (TSKI) to implement the project. Funding for this project is sourced from the Government of Canada's $85.6 million Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund which matched donations by Canadians in response to the typhoon.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased participation of targeted women and men affected by Typhoon Haiyan in sustained and resilient economic activities; and (2) improved access to financial and business development services (BDS) for targeted microenterprises affected by Typhoon Haiyan particularly those owned/operated by women.