Two days after Typhoon Odette barreled through Southern Leyte in December 2021, Josephine Salazar and her family returned from the evacuation site to their home in Limasawa Island to find it in ruins. She fell to her knees and sobbed.

“The storm tore our whole roof off. Inside, years-worth of properties and appliances were destroyed. Nothing was salvageable and everything was washed out,” she narrated.

Josephine and her family managed to return to their home after the typhoon. But with no stable income, she fears she will run out of money to continue rebuilding.

The plight was the same for 70-year-old Rosie Ombina whose house turned roofless after the typhoon. “My husband and I were in Manila that time to visit our children, and we did not expect to come back to an ugly sight of our house two months after Odette slammed our hometown,” she said with a weak voice.

Rosie’s husband, Rodrigo, is also faced with a more challenging situation after an unfortunate incident that led to losing his toes.

“He was impaired to continue his work as a carpenter because of that. It’s really hard. I don’t know how and where to start,” Rosie shared.

Operation Blessing Japan and Katayama partnered with our Disaster Response Team to provide hundreds of GI sheets for the islanders and help in the rebuilding of their homes. This incredibly generous donation, which is part of our Rehabilitation Efforts for Typhoon Odette, will provide protection for over 20 homes in Limasawa Island.

“I have no words. I’m just really happy that Operation Blessing is here, reaching out to island people like us,” all smiles Josephine said.

Rosie, who also received the recovery aid, extended her gratitude to Operation Blessing and its donors. “Thank you so much for these Godsend blessings. I am grateful, glad and excited. I hope you’ll reach more people who are in need.”

Special thanks to the 802nd Brigade for helping load the GI sheets to transport to the island and to our church partners in Limasawa.

If you are interested to partner with us in delivering aid to our disaster-affected kababayans, you may visit our website at www.operationblessing.ph or contact us at 09399215543 for more details. #OperationBlessing #DisasterResponse #TyphoonOdette #SouthernLeyte #LimasawaIsland

DSWD-SB-SP-000061-2021- Nationwide. Valid until November 23, 2022.