IOM, the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID), and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur today
turned over 36 IOM-built houses to local residents displaced by
Typhoon Reming in November 2006.

The ceremony in Barangay Sta. Eulalia in Baao, Camarines Sur,
was attended by Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond F. Villafuerte
Jr., Vice Governor Salvio Fortuno, Baao Mayor Quirino Boncayao and
representatives from USAID and IOM. 

IOM was among the first agencies to respond to the massive
internal displacement caused by Typhoon Reming in November
2006.

Under the Philippine government's sustainable recovery programme
for Typhoon Reming survivors and in partnership with USAID, 103 new
typhoon and earthquake-resistant homes have been built in the
hardest hit provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur.

"We plan to complete approximately 800 more by the end of
September 2008," says Manila-based IOM Regional Representative for
East Asia Charles Harns.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Maulit

IOM Philippines

Tel: +6352 4350605

Mobile: +63921 5763047

E-mail: "mailto:mmaulit@iom.int">mmaulit@iom.int