PRC says Yolanda relief, rehabilitation efforts still ongoing MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- With survivors commemorating the first year anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda this coming Nov. 8, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced around 30,000 households have received cash grants amounting to US$ 220 each. This is part of the PRCs three-year US$ 360 million recovery plan which will support 500,000 people across Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Panay and Palawan islands. Pigs, goats, chickens and stock for convenience or sari-sari stores were among the most popular items being bought by Yolanda survivors as part of the livelihoods program. Initial data shows farming, rearing livestock and setting up local convenience shops are the top three income-generators for those who have received Red Cross support. “Kick-starting livelihoods is key to the long term recovery of disaster-hit communities and we have made this a priority in our work, as well as housing,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon. “One year after Haiyan (Yolanda) robbed so many families of their income, we are seeing people return to work and others setting up new businesses,” he added. Peanut butter production, candle making, and turning truck tires into kitchen kit were also among the micro-enterprises that have been set up by entrepreneurs using the grants. Six million workers saw their livelihoods either wiped out or damaged by the disaster -- of which 2.6 million were living on or below the poverty line before the typhoon. Vocational training such as sustainable farming techniques, hog rearing, book keeping, arithmetic and advice on how to diversify and grow businesses were also part of the Red Cross support package. PRC secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said: “Recovery is well under way but there are still humanitarian needs on the ground and we are working across 400 communities (barangays) to ensure people get the support they need to rebuild their lives.” Since Yolanda devastated the region, PRC together with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have been on the ground supporting hundreds of communities. Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies from around the world are also working across the country as part of the typhoon recovery effort. More than 1.3 million people were provided with emergency relief in the aftermath and one year on, the Red Cross’s long term recovery plan is targeting some of the most vulnerable typhoon survivors. Building back safer shelters and community training on construction practices are a central part of the plan, which places resilience and risk-reduction at its heart. Courses for masons and carpenters are being held and more than 6,500 fishermen have been provided with cash to buy or repair damaged boats. Almost 6,100 houses have been rebuilt and in the next 15 months, 40,000 families will have received safer homes. More than 23,000 households have also received roofing sheets to repair their homes. A total of 192 classrooms have been repaired or rebuilt so far and rural health facilities are also being restored. (PNA) LGI/PFN
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:56:00 +0000
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