‘The Last Mile’: Images of hope amid despair

The photo exhibit unveiled snapshots of the different phases of the EU’s relief and early recovery operations after Typhoon “Odette” hit Surigao Del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Occidental and Palawan on 16 December 2021.

DT·17 December 2022, 1:44 am

‘The Last Mile’: Images of hope amid despair — Save the Children staffer helps deliver much-needed hygiene kits in Barangay Nueva Estrella, Bien Unido, Bohol on 18 January. | Photograph by LJ Pasion of Save the Children Philippines

Heads of affected households listen as CARE staff show a prototype of a Build Back Better and Safer shelter in Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental.

The delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and its humanitarian aid partners, together with SM, brought a message of hope and solidarity in the face of disasters with a photo exhibit of The Last Mile at S Maison.

The exhibit unveiled snapshots of the different phases of the EU's relief and early recovery operations after Typhoon "Odette" hit Surigao Del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Occidental and Palawan on 16 December 2021.

In the parlance of humanitarians, the "last mile" is the final stage of the humanitarian relief chain in which they make sure to reach the most vulnerable, wherever they are.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron and SM Engineering Design and Development president Hans Sy Jr. led the exhibit opening, together with EU's humanitarian aid partners.

Ambassador Véron said, "The Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons, flooding and earthquakes. The exhibition wants to be a message of hope, a reminder of our humanitarian obligation to save lives and help communities recover from natural disasters like Odette."

Likewise, the exhibition is an expression of sympathy towards the victims of "Odette" and other disasters, "those who lost their lives, their loved ones, their houses and livelihoods, and that had to rebuild their lives often from scratch. Their fortitude amidst the pain and uncertainty shines in many of those pictures", Ambassador Veron said.

The exhibition pays homage to the work of humanitarian workers in providing life-saving assistance in the aftermath of disasters and in helping communities recover. It also highlights the importance of preparedness, which was crucial in limiting the number of fatalities of a super typhoon such as "Odette."

SM's Millie Dizon and EU Delegation to the Philippines public affairs officer Thelma Gecolea. | photographs courtesy of SM

EU humanitarian aid partners Ariel Balofinos (Action Against Hunger), Chrisnobel Cruz (Plan Philippines), and Edward Elo (Humanity and Inclusion).

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron (right) and SM Engineering Design and Development president Hans Sy Jr. at the opening of 'The Last Mile' photo exhibition at S Maison.

The exhibition features images captured by EU's humanitarian partner organizations that implemented the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations emergency response: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger, Care Philippines, Humanity & Inclusion, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc., National Rural Women's Coalition, Oxfam Pilipinas, Plan International, Save the Children Philippines, Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya Inc., Community Organizers Multiversity, and United Youth of the Philippines-Women.

The Last Mile photo exhibit at S Maison is a joint project of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, EU-ECHO humanitarian partner organizations, and SM.