An aid worker has travelled all the way from Barnet the Philippines to meet communities who have been forced to rebuild their lives after a devastating typhoon.

Laura Ouseley, who lives in High Barnet, works as the world news officer for CAFOD – a Catholic international development charity based out of England and Wales.

In November, the 29-year-old went to the Philippines on the three-year anniversary of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan, in which over 6,000 people died and five million people lost their homes.

She met people who were affected by the typhoon to see how they have worked alongside CAFOD and partner organisations to rebuild their lives and prepare for more tropical storms.

The charity worker, who grew up in Finchley Central, said: “The Philippines is hit by around 20 tropical storms a year, and is also prone to earthquakes and volcanoes – things which thankfully we don’t have to worry about in Barnet.

“Typhoon Haiyan was one of the most devastating storms to hit in decades and its storm surge – a wall of water 25 feet high in some areas – caused the most damage, wiping out everything in its path.

“Many people were coconut farmers, but the typhoon destroyed the coconut trees.

“They take 8-10 years to grow back, so CAFOD has been helping the farmers to find new ways to earn a living like rearing hogs and organic rice farming.

“The people I spoke to had been through so much, but they were so positive and hopeful about building a brighter future.”

On 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8 2013 and affected more than 14 million people.

CAFOD provided food, shelter, water and sanitation and emergency supplies then, in the following months, the charity helped rebuild houses and develop early warning systems which were crucial when Typhoon Hagupit struck a year later.