Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Sat, 7 Nov 2015 06:30 AM

Two years after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Phillipines, survivors told the Thomson Reuters Foundation their stories. Yolanda, as it is locally known, was the strongest typhoon ever to make landfall, killing more than 6,300 people and uprooting 4.1 million from their homes in a region that was already among the poorest before the storm. Many survivors are working together to find solutions to become more resilient to disasters. PHOTOS: Astrid Zweynert

Merove B. Angelino, pig farmer, 31, married with 5 children, Bunga village near Baybay

Our house was badly damaged and there was no work for my husband after Yolanda because everything was destroyed. I bought two pigs with a 10,000 pesos ($212) cash grant from the Red Cross. My husband makes about 150 pesos a day working in farming when he can work. I can sell a piglet for 1,500 pesos and I've had nine so far from the pigs. It's been a big help to cover costs to send the children to school and other expenses."

Carolyn Aguinaldo, 33, housewife, Anibong area of Tacloban city:

I'm looking after my aunt's house. She and her daughter have been missing since Yolanda. They stayed put because her house became a sort of unofficial evacuation centre because it was a solid house - but not strong enough. It was destroyed too. Now, Tacloban is recovering but not everybody has the same opportunities.

Richel Quiminales, 35, shopkeeper, married with 7 children, Tacloban city:

We were promised relocation to a safer area away from the water after the typhoon but I have not heard a word about it again in almost two years. There hasn't been a lot of help from the government. My husband has taken part in cash-for-work programmes, which has helped me to expand my sari-sari store. But it's hard with seven children with just the bit of money we have from the store and my husband's earnings (as a day labourer).

Arsenjo Francisco, retired fisherman, 75, Anibong area of Tacloban city:

Ten members of my family died when Yolanda came, some of my grandchildren included. These three massive waves swept over us, one bigger than the other. Everything was swept away, all our belongings. I've lived near the sea all my life but now I want to be somewhere safe. The government said we would be relocated away from the sea but I'm still waiting - nothing has happened.

Rosielyn Cuayzon, community health volunteer, 33, married with 3 children, Abaca

I was pregnant with my youngest child when Yolanda came. I named her Tzu Chi, after the (Taiwan-based Buddhist) organisation that came to help us very fast. After Yolanda I felt I really wanted to help my community to have better lives. The Red Cross rebuilt our health centre after the typhoon and I've been a community health volunteer for more than a year to help educate people and give them proper information about health issues. All my children are vaccinated, so they can stay healthy.

Luz Braga, 69, housewife, mother of 10, Tacloban city:

It's been hard to survive with so many children, such a big family - even before Yolanda and it's still difficult Life has never been easy because of the poverty here. I'm happy that we can c.lean up our area (through a World Vision programme to clean up slums). It will make it safer for my grandchildren to play.

Stella Biazon, 62, housewife, San Miguel

My house was completely destroyed. I was lucky because World Vision gave me money to build a new - and better - house and a toilet. But life is hard here. It was already hard to make ends meet before Yolanda.There are not enough jobs that pay a decent salary. My family got separated after the typhoon and there is only one income in my household. I make a little extra from selling vegetables and fruit from my garden but it's hard to make living.

Marlon Canales, fisherman, 43, married with 6 children, San Miguel

I'm better prepared for the next storm because my house was rebuilt with stronger materials. I'm also able to make more money from fishing and can provide for my six children to go to school. I hope I will never see something like Yolanda again. I had to run for my life when we saw this huge wave coming - as high as the coconut trees - and climbed on the roof of the cemetary building.

Alfy Panilawon, catering trainee at Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban city, 29:

I hope to be working in catering and hotels. I'm getting on-the-job training here in the hotel and I hope it will give me the chance to get a good job. It's been hard for my family because our house was destroyed and I have eight brothers and sisters.