
A father and his four sons sit outside their storm-damaged house. Bantayan Town. Photo: Chai Apale/Project Seahorse
UBC’s Project Seahorse and the Zoological Society of London have long collaborated with communities in the central Philippines to study and conserve the region’s rich marine life. Those communities were struck hard by Typhoon Haiyan and UBC researchers are helping with relief efforts. As described in a series of blog posts by Project Seahorse co-founder Dr. Amanda Vincent, the partner organizations have begun delivering emergency aid to communities in Panay, Bantayan, and Danajon Bank, three areas where no other external help is available
Here are photos from Project Seahorse’s relief efforts. If you’d like to help, please consider donating to ZSL’s relief and recovery fund. The funds will go towards emergency relief and help to kick-start the longer-term recovery process.

A pair of boys transport rebuilding materials by bike through Bantayan Town. Chai Apale/Project Seahorse

A woman sits in front of the ruins of a house in Bantayan Town. Photo: Chai Apale/Project Seahorse

Kids rest on a knocked-down tree outside their village. Bantayan, Philippines. Photo: Chai Apale/PSF

Field staff hand out relief packs to villagers. The packs contain food, clean water, soap, and essential medicines. Panay, Philippines. Photo: ZSL

Fishing boats destroyed during the storm near Bantayan, Philippines. Photo: Chai Apale/PSF

Fishing boats destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda). Panay, Philippines. Photo: ZSL

A barangay captain (village head) helps with the relief effort. Panay, Philippines. Photo: ZSL

Kids rest on a knocked-down tree outside their village. Bantayan, Philippines. Photo: Chai Apale/PSF

Signs of hope: Amid all of the destruction, life goes on. Boys play pickup basketball outside a village. Panay, Philippines. Photo: Chai Apale/Project Seahorse