Signs of improvement are appearing after the disastrous typhoon that devastated the Philippines on November 8, 2013. Through generous donations from countries around the world, the Philippines’ future is starting to look brighter.

Typhoon Haiyan began forming several hundred kilometers off the coast and hit Tacloban and other coastal cities about a week later. After the impact of Haiyan, the death toll skyrocketed. According to NBC news, the number of deaths exceeded 5,000, with bodies still being found today. Over 1,700 people are still missing throughout the Philippines and around four million are displaced. The cities impacted by Haiyan were left in pieces.

Senior Aldwin De Guzman, who spent part of his childhood in the Philippines, recalled the scene on the television that day. “I saw dead bodies and corpses and completely demolished houses. Safe zones were not actually safe.”

Since Haiyan hit, countless efforts from around the world have sped up the recovery in the Philippines. Shortly after Haiyan hit, President Obama launched a massive, military-driven rescue program in addition to sending the Filipino government $20 million for resources. Other countries such as Japan and Australia also gave millions of dollars and offered to send out troops. Even the furniture company Ikea sent the Philippines $2.7 million in hopes of helping the situation. Along with large governments, families around the world have sent money as well.

Senior Shawntel Williams said, “There was a family in front of Walmart trying to raise money to send over to the Philippines. It really warmed my heart because I have family there.”

Help for the Philippines is being sent in many different ways, ranging from cash to canned foods.

Filipino-American, Junior Taylor Nguyen, explained, “Our family sent at least $500 in canned food for Philippines.” Nguyen also emphasized the importance of baby formula and other essentials for kids.

With all the money being sent to Philippines, most expect recovery to continue quickly; not everyone, however, agrees with this assumption.

Sophomore Judianne Vista said, “The government is corrupt, so I’m worried how the money will be spent.” 

Though people still live amidst the ruins left by Haiyan, progress is being made. According to NPR, Tecson Lim, city administrator, said, “The opportunity to transform our city into a global city a city that is climate change resilient and that can perhaps be a model.” With the troops and rescue teams in action, more people are being found and helped.