Philippines

Republic of the Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan statistics

Damage Situation
Total Affected Population	14,100,000
Children Affected (Under 18)	5,922,000
Children Under Five Affected	1,903,500
Children under 1 year of age affected	380,700
Pregnant and lactating women	916,500
Total Displaced Population	4,100,000
Children Displaced (Under 18)	1,722,000

Source: Typhoon Haiyan Humanitarian Situation Report #25 - 12 September 2014

Philippines workshop report

One year on, children affected by Typhoon Haiyan share images of hope - By Gay Samson

Hearing through photography
A year after the typhoon, children are showing signs of healing and recovery. Twenty children between the ages of 11-17, who were chosen from the different temporary shelters, participated in the workshop. They were brimming with excitement and creativity. UNICEF photographer Giacomo Pirozzi uses a method that teaches children living in poverty and distress to voice their emotions through the lens- paving the way to healing, self-discovery and social participation.

"It's our tribute to these children." Giacomo explains. "They are the ones who are most vulnerable in these situations. We want to have the children come and say what they think and feel."

These images ©UNICEF/G.Pirozzi

The children demonstrated their strength and their desire to play a part in their communities' recovery through the themes that they chose. On top on their list were poverty, hardship, loss and grief, alongside gratitude, resilience, and survival. On the third day of the workshop, they went on a photo mission to affected areas, temporary settlements and burial sites of those who were lost to the typhoon.

See through my eyes
After learning the basics of photography and the importance of photography as a tool for storytelling, children produced moving images that speak of their hopes for a better future for themselves, the children and families of Tacloban. They told the stories of their subjects and also shared their own feelings and wishes.

"The images the children have produced are extremely impressive. I would never have guessed they were taken by children," UNICEF Chief of Tacloban Field Office Maulid Warfa said after seeing the images during the graduation ceremony.

©UNICEF/Joey Reyna

©UNICEF/G.Pirozzi

One of the participant said "Photography is not only about having fun and taking selfies! I realized that pictures should tell a story. Maybe this is where my future is,"

(Implementation of the workshop : 2014)