As more and more help is sent to the Philippines, progress is increasing. Trees are sprouting with new leaves and the government seems to be back on track. The sounds of a city getting back on its feet fill the air: the roar of trucks hauling debris, the scrape of shovel along pavement, the ping of hammer on nails. However, one month of progress signs are still present of the disaster that took place; Bodies are still being uncovered from beneath the debris. Tens of thousands are living amid the ruins of their former lives, underneath shelters made from scavenged materials and handouts. Rebuilding will take at least three years, and success will depend on good governance and access to funds. The Philippines is currently experiencing a great economic growth, but corruption is present and the city still remains desperately poor.
The Philippines had received warning of the storm and time to prepare before it had actually hit. Such warnings, however, were ignored due to the countries normalcy of typhoons. I believe that this serves as a warning that if a situation like this should occur again, action needs to be taken in order to prevent such a destruction. The United States, as well, needs to keep sending help and working to bring the country back to what it once was (maybe even better than it once was). For if we keep this progress going the city should be restored in no time.
