On the Philippine island of Panay, reforestation efforts are underway focusing on indigenous tree and plant species with root systems that can withstand mudslides and future typhoons.

Little forest remains on Panay but it is home to important species such as the Panay hornbill and the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. Deforestation for timber or to create agricultural land combined with last year’s Typhoon Haiyan have seriously impacted on the natural environment.

Now, initiatives are seeking to preserve remaining forest areas and work with local communities to develop agroforestry projects such as with cacao and coffee. These efforts are vital to ensuring the livelihoods of residents and protecting biodiversity.

Deutsche Welle (DW) presents a short film describing the problems and the work funded by the German development agency, GIZ to address them.

Read the full story and watch the film: After Haiyan: Planting forests in the Philippines