A struggle for survival

Preparing myself to see something worse | Home | "I have no other place to go"

19 August 2006

by Heike onboard the Esperanza

©Gavin Newman/Greenpeace

"The arrival of the Esperanza means the same to us as the name of the ship: hope. You give us hope that we are able to overcome this disaster." It was this sentence we heard the most upon our arrival this afternoon in Iloilo, the nearest port to the island of Guimaras. I think all of us onboard had sensed that already. As we were approaching Iloilo we were all up on the front deck (except those busy of course). It was a bit like the silence before the storm: Everybody just watching the beautiful coastline, worried of how much damage we will witness in the next days.

The local Greenpeace team awaited us on the pier, along with a lot of press and officials. As soon as the formalities were agreed, the aid goods were unloaded from the front deck. And it was indeed a picture of hope as in the red sunset the crane of the Esperanza lifted pallet after pallet full of food onto three open trucks. Tomorrow the aid will be brought to those who need it.

Harald Jarder, Commander of the Coast Guard Station Iloilo, told me that the number of affected people has now gone up to 40.000. "People have no money to buy food, they absolutely depend on help. The villages were not prepared for this. People are also angry with the oil company and demand accountability."

©Gavin Newman/Greenpeace

Mary Solinap, coordinator of the local organisation who will deliver the aid, said the number of families threatened by hunger is still increasing. "It is a struggle for survival. Some are leaving to stay with relatives. But most of them want to stay, their life is here on the island." It will take a long time to recover, Commander Jarder fears. But he also counts on the resources of the people themselves: "The Filipinos are a very resilient race. They will find means to go on."

Early tomorrow we will head for the oil spill. The inflatables are being prepared, diving gear is packed, radios checked. I think we will all go early to bed today - saving power for what lies ahead of us.

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Comments

20 August 2006

May the presence of M/Y ESPERANZA here in Iloilo City bring a promise of a glimmering "hope" amidst all the anxiety and the total devastation of the marine ecology of the province and its neighboring island provinces.

But let there be "hope" for the future generations; we will overcome.

And what do these mean to those people of Guimaras? Let us find out when we get there...sail on! Help is on the way..

Thank you and God bless!

Adonis S. Manzan
amanzan@smartbro.net

Posted by: Adonis S. Manzan at August 19, 2006 6:19 PM

Wow wasn't it increadably lucky that the Espy was not too far from this incident at the time. It's been awesome to see the crew of the Espy react fast to this terrible situation and deliever some much needed food and supplies. Well done!

Posted by: Slade at August 20, 2006 9:23 AM

How can I help you there? I'm in Cebu but went back to Iloilo this weekend.

I'm devastated. As Ilonggo, it hurts so much to see the destruction. I know how the governor of Guimaras felt..

I wanna help you there but I have work.

Posted by: berniemack at August 20, 2006 12:07 PM

Congratulations on a great web site. I am a new computer user and finding you was like coming home. Continued success.

Posted by: Jake Lafcraft at September 11, 2006 3:02 PM

Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!

Posted by: Laura Karrere at September 13, 2006 12:14 AM

Congratulations on a great web site. I am a new computer user and finding you was like coming home. Continued success.

Posted by: Wandy Wu at September 19, 2006 2:10 AM

Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!

Posted by: Kugel Margo at September 21, 2006 12:32 AM

Let it be, let it be... What a strange place here.

Posted by: Azery Bledance at September 26, 2006 1:15 PM

Thank you very very very much. Wish you luck and mercy from all the creatures around the world.

Posted by: Major Pain at October 11, 2006 8:49 PM

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