‘Yolanda’ aid: US delivers 24 more classrooms

TACLOBAN CITY—The US government through its relief agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), turned over 24 classrooms on Wednesday to four public schools in Leyte province, hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013.

The 24 classrooms are part of the 310 classrooms committed by the US government to the Philippines, particularly Leyte, which suffered the brunt of the devastation caused by the world’s strongest typhoon to ever hit land.

Of the 310 target classrooms, 253 have been turned over.

The remaining 57 classrooms are expected to be completed and turned over by the USAID in December in ceremonies that would mark the end of US government commitment to provide help to areas hit by Yolanda.

The US government donated nearly $143 million to the country in the aftermath of Yolanda.

The beneficiaries included Salvador Elementary School in Tanauan town, three classrooms; Alegria National High School in Julita town, six; San Joaquin National High School in Palo town, eight; and Dagami South Central School (DSCS) in Dagami town, seven.

Erica Rounsefell, USAID office of education deputy chief, led the turnover of the 24 classrooms on Wednesday at the DSCS grounds.