AFTER THE TYPHOON
ESTANCIA, PHILIPPINES (DECEMBER 2013)
Two months after Typhoon Haiyan hit Estancia, Philippines, affecting nearly the entire population and crippling its essential fishing industry, the town continues to cope. Ninety percent of the fishing boats have been destroyed and 46,300 people out of a population of 47,100 have had their homes destroyed or damaged. Amongst the widespread devastation, Estancia's collective ability to rebuild, withstand adversity and move forward is palpable.
Leny Mostrano collapses at the funeral for her elderly father who had pneumonia and difficulty breathing as he suffered from asthma which worsened because of the air quality following the typhoon.
Ar Ar Beilnas, 13 years, searches for plastic amongst smoking garbage along with a group of children whose homes have all been damaged. The children are expected to work everyday since the typhoon hit making approximately $13USD per week.
Workers lay grass on a blackened shoreline as an oil spill caused by the typhoon is slowly cleaned up. The spill has displaced 4,550 people in this area, killed valuable sea life and has caused headaches, skin ailments and put residents at risk of cancer.
Rosalinda del lose Reyes, 60, feeds her granddaughter by candle light as electricity has yet to be restored.
Smoke envelopes the air as residents in a tent city prepare dinner over small coal barbecues.
Two-day-old Princess Jay is put to bed by her mother Kathleen Celemente, 20, and father Geppy Borres, 21, in a shared tent at a displacement camp.
A home-made kite is flown on a water tank by children whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the typhoon.
An alter boy swings burning incense at one of the three daily masses that occur six days a week for the month of Decembe.
People pray after listening to a mass that speaks about Typhoon Haiyan on Christmas Eve in Estancia.
Melcon Anatalio, 26 years, heads to sea for one of his two daily catches on a neighbouring island of Sicogon which relies heavily on Estancia for it's fish port and market. Of the 92 people who died in Estancia 87 were fishermen caught at sea and 63 are from neighbouring islands such as this one. .
A child takes a quiet moment as he floats along Estancia's shoreline.