Typhoon Haiyan: the tale of one boy's survival - in pictures

Joshua scavenges for food and reusable material among destroyed houses in the devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines. This portrait, taken two days after the disaster, was used by local and international non-government organisations to solicit help for typhoon victims
Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua searches for food and reusable material in destroyed houses
Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua sits inside a damaged house, where six other family members were trapped and died Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua sits on his grandfather Sulpicio Senior's lap, inside the house they use as their temporary shelter. His mother, Raquel, and six-year old sister, Jamyca, were killed in the disaster Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua runs outside a makeshift house. Leyte Island is prone to typhoons and tropical depressions all year round. Storm surges, however, are unusual for the inhabitants Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua smiles with his friends while waiting for relief goods distribution Photograph: Dennis M. Sabangan/EPA

Joshua stands with friends while waiting for the army's relief goods to be handed out Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua carries a bag of relief goods outside his relatives' makeshift house. He recalls how a huge surge of water separated him from his father, Sulpicio Junior. He floated among the debris of broken houses and other buildings, clinging to tree branches and other structures within his reach Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua shows donated cans of sardines. When the storm surge finally subsided, he found himself nearly a mile from home. Left only wearing his underwear, he retraced his steps home, hoping his family was alive, but only his grandfather survived the disaster Photograph: Dennis M. Sabangan/EPA

Joshua is hugged by his uncle Nicasio, 43, who lost his wife and three children, inside an abandoned house that they have turned into their temporary shelter Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua poses with friends. His mother is still missing. As for his sister, the family received word that her body had been found, but they are still unable to locate where she was buried. Joshua lost 23 relatives altogether Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua smiles while his grandfather sits inside their temporary shelter Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Joshua jumps on a street in the devastated city of Tacloban. The tragedy has not changed his plans for the future. He says he wants to finish school and help rebuild what was lost in the disaster Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA

Twenty days after the disaster, Joshua smiles while standing in the spot where his picture was first taken Photograph: Dennis M Sabangan/EPA