Tita’s Story: Rebuilding After Doksuri

"I was utterly devastated when I witnessed the destruction of my rice field," said Tita Villon, a 49-year-old widow and daycare worker from Dodan, Cagayan Province, Philippines, likening the experience to losing someone dearly loved. 

Tita is one of more than 7,500 people affected by Super Typhoon Doksuri who received cash transfers through a locally-led program supported by Oxfam Pilipinas and People's Disaster Risk Reduction Network. The typhoon, which made landfall in July 2023, caused significant destruction in the northern Philippines, leaving many, like Tita, struggling to recover. The assistance helped families address urgent needs such as food, water, and basic necessities, offering a temporary lifeline amid the extensive damage.

Tita received PHP 3,000 in cash aid, providing critical short-term relief after her rice fields were washed away during the typhoon. The loss of her rice fields resulted in a significant financial loss, a devastating blow for the widowed mother and her family. 
"The cash assistance was a relief after the crop losses. It was an unexpected aid that helped me somehow regain my footing," Tita shared. With the money, she could buy a sack of rice -- "enough to sustain me and my daughter for at least one month."
"Its value was immeasurable for me," she added .

While the cash support was insufficient to fully recover from the typhoon's destruction, it played a crucial role in helping Tita and her family meet their immediate needs. The rice she bought became a vital resource for her family, giving her the strength to begin exploring other ways to rebuild. 

Super Typhoon Doksuri left a wide path of destruction, damaging more than 50,000 homes and devastating upwards of 170,000 hectares of farmland. Farmers and fisherfolk were hit the hardest, as many, like Tita, lost their primary sources of income overnight. The total economic losses were immense, with agricultural and infrastructure damage affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
With the support of the Government of Canada through the Humanitarian Coalition, Oxfam Canada was able to care for the urgent needs of the community in Dodan through these cash transfers. It was a critical first step, but ongoing support will be essential as communities across Cagayan continue to work toward long-term recovery from Typhoon Doksuri.

Though the road to recovery will be long, Tita is starting to plan for a future where she and her daughter can regain their footing. With each small step forward, she hopes to restore her farm, rebuild her fields, and regain stability for a secure future.