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Emotional Trauma Lingers as Tacloban Recovers

09-07-2014
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GUIUAN SAMAR, Philippines -- Two months after a historic typhoon devastated the Filippino city, Tacloban is starting to show signs of economic recovery.

Tacloban City Hall said businesses are starting to re-open, and the Washington Post reported that shoppers are returning to marketplaces.

Six grocery stores are once again operating in the city, 26 hardware stores have opened their doors to those working to rebuild, and 15 banks have reopened.

But the emotional damage done by the storm is taking a toll on many.

That's why one group of Israeli councilors has traveled to the region. They're partnering with CBN to help people cope with emotional trauma.

More than two months since Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philipines, survivors like Loraine Delleva still feel haunted by their near death experience.

"The water was rising, my sister and I immediately ran out of the house and swam in the street to higher ground," Delleva said.

"My sister, who did not know how to swim, held on to a water jug. We were really frightened because the current was really strong," she said.

Delleva and her sister lived in the hard-hit city of Tacloban. Their closest family lived 49 miles away and all means of communication had been cut off.

"I worried so much for my daughters because we cannot contact them. I wasn't able to eat for three days and three nights thinking about them," Monica Delleva, Loraines's mother said.

"My sister and I knew that our family was worrying about us and so we decided to go home even if we had to walk for three days," Loraine said.

Although her daughters are home, Monica said she still feels the trauma brought about by Haiyan.

"I still shake and I am afraid every time it rains hard and I hear the strong wind," she explained.
 
More than 1 million Filipinos have been affected by the storm. More than 6,000 died, 2,000 are still missing, and 600,000 are homeless.

Meanwhile, thousands of survivors are working to rebuild their lives.

Aside from attending to the physical and spiritual needs of the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan, CBN Disaster Relief has brought in an Israeli team of experts in trauma counseling to help the people cope with their tragic experiences.

"We chose to partner with CBN because you do everything to help," Dr. Moshe Farhi from the Israeli Relief Coaliation, said.

Farhi's group helped train various government units, the Red Cross, and several schools.

"We teach the people pyschological first aid and emotional CPR, the first thing that you do in traumatic events," he said. "Activate the people to stay out of helplessness and continue to fight in order to survive."

"I feel very relaxed now. I will teach this to my family and apply it to my two daughters who are the most traumatized in trying to save themselves," Monica said. "Thank you so much to the Israeli Relief Coaliton and to CBN. You enlightened our minds and you've taught us not to lose hope."

Farhi said he is optimistic that the strong faith of the Filipino people and the resilience displayed by survivors will help them put the trauma of Typhoom Haiyan behind them.

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