IOM Distributes Vital Aid to Flood Affected Families in the Philippines
IOM has distributed critical humanitarian assistance to families
displaced by Tropical Storm Washi (known locally as Sendong) in the
southern Philippines and has begun essential work to improve the
living conditions of those sheltering in evacuation centres.
A first batch of 255 shelter repair kits were distributed to
families with partially damaged houses in Baranggay Iponan in
Cagayan de Oro and in Baranggay Santiago in Iligan City. Both were
among the areas worst hit by the flash floods triggered by
Sendong.
With EUR 700,000 from the Humanitarian Aid Department of the
European Commission (ECHO), IOM will provide shelter repair
assistance to up to 1,894 families in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan
cities, and also upgrade the facilities of 17 evacuation centres
where thousands of families have been forced to live in difficult
conditions.
The distribution comes as classes resumed in Philippine public
schools, emphasizing the need to decongest the already crowded
schools converted into evacuation centres.
Link
"/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite/graphics/interface/icons_buttons/blue_link_box.gif">
"">Help Victims of Typhoon Washi in the Philippines
"There is an urgent need to provide displaced families who can
return to their places of origin not identified as permanent danger
zones with materials to repair their homes and to promote the safe
and voluntary return to either places of origin or to move to
alternative sites," says IOM Emergency Programme Manager Dave
Bercasio. "The shelter materials will help to improve living
conditions and promote a sense of normalcy in their lives."
At the Macasandig Covered Courts, among the largest evacuation
sites in Cagayan de Oro City, IOM has completed the construction of
bathing cubicles and bed kits. An upgrade of facilities is also
underway at the North City Central Elementary School.
"The facilities currently being used as evacuation centres are
not equipped to handle the number of people who have sought refuge
in these areas. There is a need to carry out repairs and upgrade
facilities as well as support their maintenance to promote safe and
humane living conditions within these sites," Bercasio adds.
Aside from the shelter kits, IOM has distributed over 1,600
non-food item kits consisting of sleeping mats, mosquito nets and
jerry cans and is preparing to build 46 bunkhouses to accommodate
230 families at the Lumbia relocation site in Cagayan de Oro. The
Organization has also started construction of two multi-purpose
halls at the Calaanan relocation site.
IOM is also assisting local social workers in gathering
information to identify families who are in need of permanent
relocation and who cannot return to areas declared as geo-hazard
zones.
Sendong struck the southern Philippines on 16 December 2011
triggering flash floods as many people slept in their homes. The
storm dumped about 142 millimetres of rain in a span of 12 hours.
Thousands of homes were swept away and more than 1,000 people
killed. Philippine disaster officials estimate that over 700,000
people have been affected by the floods.
IOM has provided assistance to the Philippine government with
its Typhoon Emergency Response Programme since 2009 when a series
of typhoons struck the country. In particular, the Organization
supports the government in rolling out and coordinating efforts
within the Camp Coordination and Camp Management and Non-Food Item
humanitarian response sectors.
IOM's projects facilitate the re-establishment of humane living
conditions through repair and rebuilding of shelters, as well as
disaster risk reduction through "build back better" approaches.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Bercasio
IOM Mindanao
Tel: +63.908.865.4546
E-mail:
"mailto:dbercasio@iom.int">dbercasio@iom.int