The Children of Costa Bravo

On November 10th, 2013, the deadliest typhoon in forty years, typhoon Yolanda hit the coast of East-Central Philippines. The worst-hit was region Visayas, wiping out its capital, Tacloban, leaving the majority of its infrastructure in ruins. Costa Brava, a small coastal village, located on the outskirts of Tacloban, was the only area that was under the eye of the typhoon. With winds measured up to 145 mph, the locals living in their homemade shelters made of scrap were left homeless. 60% of the village was either buried or is still missing to this day. In a third-world country with the majority of its citizens living under the poverty line, the locals of Costa Brava were left in the hands of foreign aid. Temporary housing was initially built, but three years later, the small, one-room wooden shacks are still housing entire families. Natives of the village are mostly illiterate and have few skills other than fishing, and thus, are forced to remain despite the fear of another typhoon may hit again. However, for a young generation of locals, there is hope. Since typhoon Yolanda, a church and a school has been built in the village where the children receive free fundamental education. Despite the horrific event and the forgotten need for aid, the children of Costa Brava represent the vulnerability of those who are left at the mercy of mother nature.

Tacloban, Philippines 2016