Red Cross relief efforts continue in Yolanda-struck provinces
MANILA, Philippines — After the super typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as “Haiyan,” ravaged Eastern Visayas and Central Philippines eight years ago, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to support affected communities in Eastern Visayas.
According to the PRC, with the leadership of Sen. Richard Gordon, it continues to oversee the rehabilitation and construction of the areas affected by the storm tagged as the “Storm of the Century.”
“The resilience of the Filipino is unprecedented. Despite the death and devastation, we found deliverance. Rehabilitation and repair with the help of our Movement Partners have been successful. Disaster is not insurmountable with passion and commitment, both of which were provided by the Red Cross,” said Gordon in a statement.
“We continue to support these communities even eight years after Yolanda hit these bucolic towns and cities. With focus, fast action, flexibility, friendliness, and being forward-looking, the Philippine Red Cross is poised to serve as it is always first, always ready, and always there,” he added.
With these efforts, the PRC said it has already finished repairing a total of 80,983 shelters, built 80,207 homes, as well as given 63,604 household livelihood assistance through cash grants.
The Red Cross also gave livelihood training and livelihood programs to 16 thousand individuals and 160 groups, built 166 schools and repaired 536 classrooms with 8 thousand school kits distributed, and repaired or reconstructed 94 health facilities.
Apart from this, a vocational training center was also established in Leyte, a regional logistics and disaster management training center in Passi, Iloilo, and a blood facility in Bogo City, as well as several molecular labs throughout the affected provinces.
Meanwhile, construction is still ongoing in the remaining houses and community facilities in Leyte, the establishment of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in Capiz, the rehabilitation of Chapter buildings in Capiz and Passi, and the building of blood facilities in Ormoc and Tacloban.
These efforts continued after Yolanda left unparalleled ruin in the provinces of Visayas including Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, and Aklan, and Palawan — it was then tagged as the “Storm of the Century.”
The super typhoon-affected eight million individuals, displacing four million with 30 thousand injured and 6,000 dead.
To date, even after eight years since the storm whipped the country, 1,500 people are still logged as missing.
RELATED STORIES
Red Cross on ‘Yolanda’ work: Mission 96% accomplished
