This article depicts the reality that Philippines’ typhoon orphans face. It tells the story of Joshua Villanueva who lost his parents and two younger sisters last November. Haiyan, the strongest storm on record to ever hit land, struck Villanueva's coastal community with such ferocity on Nov. 8 last year that no trace remained of his former home. UNICEF said Haiyan affected 5.9 million children, yet it is unclear how many have been orphaned, as The Department for Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), UNICEF, and charity SOS Children's Villages International have varying numbers of separated and unaccompanied children. According to interviews conducted by The Thomson Reuters Foundation with orphaned and abandoned children and their carers, many said they received little or no support to help cope with the trauma after an initial flurry of counselling sessions. Almost all are living with extended families, usually grandparents.
