The larger vessels that would have made travel to Sulu’an less dangerous, were all destroyed by the typhoon. The only transport available to IRF were small fishing boats (bancas). Chimu, Alvin, Jippy (a filmmaker from Manila), Bong, Victor and NeLo, the boat’s captain, travelled 2 1⁄2 hours over the choppy waters with 3-4m swells in the Gulf of Leyte to this tiny island. Upon arriving, the eclectic group met with some of the locals and surveyed the catastrophic damage. IRF asked that a village meeting be called that would include as many of the islanders as possible. At that meeting, the IRF gave a brief explanation of our intentions and what we would be able to provide in assistance ($25,000 or ₱1,100,000 PHP). Then we gave the village two tasks.
The first was to decide if, and how, the funding should be distributed/allocated, or if the funds should remain in one bulk sum. Secondly, who amongst them were trusted enough to hold the cash until a decision was made on how to utilize it. A range of suggestions on how the funds could be utilized was offered by IRF, but ultimately the Sulu’an people needed to decide for themselves. IRF acknowledges that this open ended funding undoubtedly causes disagreements but, nevertheless, believes that direct funding of a project is the best way to maximize the funds. We prompted the community to resolve any disagreements quickly and amicably. The community agreed to have these two tasks completed by the next morning.
At 9 a.m. the following morning, IRF met with about 400-500 members of the total community of 1,750 islanders. They had decided to break up the money into Zones, the seven districts that already existed so they elected three members from each district to hold the funds. IRF then assisted in distributing the funds equally to each designated representative. After a few more hours of conversations, IRF boarded the banca to return home. The Sulu’an Islanders used our donated funds to purchase their most urgently needed items, specific to each person, giving Dignity and Respect by allowing decision making from everyone. They will visit the mainland city of Cebu, where there is a “Walmart equivalent” store.
DENGUE CONTRACTED IN PHILIPPINES
Unbeknownst to Chimu, during his stay while sleeping in an abandoned school in a hammock, he contracted Dengue fever which he brought back to the USA. Within 48 hours of arrival, Chimu left the USA for another project in Colombia which lasted 3 days, then he flew to Suriname where he came down with the tremendous fevers and symptoms only to be rushed to the hospital in Suriname to be quarantined. Given the unsatisfactory medical care received, Chimu personally removed his IV’s and snuck out of the open air hospital to catch the next flight out, back to the USA for proper medical attention. Weakness and fatigue lasted 3 months; however, this is better than some do with Dengue in the Philippines with a reported 50% fatality rate.
We posted a very rough video, which is part of various clips we had. Unfortunately at that time, we were not so savvy on filming our expeditions. This rough footage does however, give you a feel for the devastation but wonderful faces we were greeted with upon arrival.
The Inti Raymi Fund became aware of this crisis and responded to the attached BBC News article.
