After losing their boats and houses in Super Typhoon Haiyan, fishermen from a destroyed village in Tanauan started building two-seated boats out of abandoned refrigerators and wood. Fisherman Jimmy Obaldo got the idea for the first boat from his children, and soon others followed his lead. These improvised vessels appear to be successfully afloat, and the fishermen are making small catches, as documented by Reuters photographer Damir Sagolj.
Filipino Fishermen Improvise Refrigerator Boats
-
Boys maneuver their boat, made from a broken refrigerator and bamboo, to the beach in Tanauan, in the province of Leyte, Philippines, on November 20, 2013. After losing their boats and houses in the Typhoon Haiyan, fishermen of a destroyed village in Tanauan started building two-seated boats made of abandoned refrigerators and some wood. The first boat was made by a fisherman, whose children gave him the idea as they wanted to play in it, and soon others followed. The Philippines and international armed forces and aid agencies are struggling to get help to devastated areas due to the extent of the destruction from Typhoon Haiyan, which has left more than 4,000 dead and 4 million people displaced. #
Reuters/Damir Sagolj -
-
-
-
Jimmy Obaldo (2nd from right), who made the first such a boat, looks at his catch after coming back with his vessel, made of a broken fridge and bamboo, in Tanauan, on November 20, 2013. #
Reuters/Damir Sagolj -
-
-
Survivors place a makeshift flag over a sports hall destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, on November 20, 2013. The Philippines is facing an enormous rebuilding task from Typhoon Haiyan, which killed at least 3,974 people and left 1,186 missing, with many isolated communities yet to receive significant aid despite a massive international relief effort. #
Reuters/Damir Sagolj
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.