UN body turns over shelter materials

MATERIALS such as tents, tarpaulins and kitchen utensils were turned over by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD) yesterday.

DSWD-7 information officer Kerwin Macopia said the materials will serve as temporary shelters for the victims of typhoon Yolanda in Bantayan, Santa Fe and Madridejos towns in Bantayan Island. The materials included 250 tents, five rolls of tarpaulin for walls, 500 tarpaulins for roof and 250 kitchen utensils kits for Bantayan town; 125 tents, two rolls of tarpaulin for walls, 250 tarpaulins for roof, and 125 kitchen utensils kits for Santa Fe; and 125 tents, 250 tarpaulins for roof, two rolls of tarpaulins for wall and 125 kitchen kits for Madridejos.

The beneficiary towns will distribute the items to the affected families.

Macopia also mentioned that some international communities under the “shelter cluster” are also planning to give assistance to other affected areas identified by the DSWD. Global Shelter Cluster is co-chaired by the UNHCR and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. /CORRESPONDENT Michelle Joy L. Padayhag