Although a calamity often strikes in one fell swoop, recovering from one isn’t as quick. Rebuilding happens step by step, as emphasized by civilian-led relief initiative Citizens For LU.
Spurred by the lack of initial relief provided during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Maring in La Union, Citizens For LU partnered with multiple CSO, NGO, and religious groups to provide aid for the affected communities.
“We fill in gaps that our government partners may have missed or are not able to provide in terms of helping areas and communities that need help in recovering,” the group says. They do not aim to compete with government efforts nor are they involved in campaigning for the elections, they add.
The initiative is aimed at providing not just immediate basic needs, but also tools that will help affected communities to reconstruct affected houses and structures, and to rehabilitate farmlands. Funds are being raised through livestream concerts and open donation channels.
Citizens For LU also laid out their recovery plan for the province, which has been divided into phases that last for a certain number of weeks.
Aside from donations, the group is also looking for volunteers. For more information on how to help and what the group needs, visit their Facebook page.