Through the local organization “Peacebuilders Community Incorporated” (PBCI, member of the “Witness” program of the “Mennonite Church Canada) and MCC SMM has donated some funds to help those people who have experienced the catastrophic taifun “Haiyan” in 2014. Super typhoon Haiyan destroyed more than one million homes in its path. In response, a team of pastors and local people from the city Ormoc (Leyte) came together to discern how to best support inhabitants in the surrounding villages. They distributed shelter repair kits (SRK) to the most vulnerable families in their respective communities. Dann Pantoja from PeaceBuilders Community was appointed to be the over-all coordinator of field operations for this project.
Before the taifun hit the islands MCC had already trained people in the Philippines how to reduce disaster risks. During this training participants learned about non-violent methods to reduce violent conflicts. Joji Pantoja, one leader of PBCI and co-worker of Mennonite Church Canada, later reported how these methods helped to overcome those rebel groups who tried to control the distribution of relief goods. PBCI also ensured that all groups benefited from emergency aid, regardless of their political loyalties.
