Paying it forward: Haiyan survivors light the way in Mangkhut response
Text and photos by AC Dimatatac As a photojournalist who has experience in documenting humanitarian response, I have witnessed how responders usually focus on water, livelihood, health and living conditions, but overlook energy, no matter how vital it is. I was excited to join the Typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong) rapid assessment team of ACT Alliance last month because it would be my first time to join a rapid response in which an energy assessment was included. ICSC brought its TekPaks to support the operations of the rapid assessment team and the Mangkhut survivor communities it partnered with. Farmers try to dry [...]
Powering Tacloban City’s quake drill with solar energy
by Arturo Tahup Tacloban City’s earthquake drill yesterday (21 June 2018) was powered by the sun, thanks to a team of humanitarian responders with portable solar-powered equipment. Two radio base stations used during the drill were powered by a TekPak, a portable solar suitcase developed by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), and a Solevolt solar generator by the ICSC-organized RE-Serve Humanitarian Corps. It was the first time the Corps participated in a Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in Tacloban City, which was held this quarter at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Cabaluan. The drill was [...]