EU-funded recovery project builds 11 evacuation centers in Eastern Visayas

CABUCGAYAN, Biliran, June 1 (PNA) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has completed the construction of six out 11 community evacuation centers intended for areas in Eastern Visayas ravaged by typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra said construction of three centers, designed to protect families from impacts of disasters, are now ongoing while two sites will kick off its construction within the year.

“These evacuation centers are constructed to withstand 300 kilometer per hour wind velocity and up to intensity 8 earthquake,” Mitra told reporters on the sidelines of project turnover here onTuesday.

Newly-completed centers are located in Biliran, Naval, and Cabucgayan in Biliran province; Ormoc City in Leyte; and Salcedo and Hernani in Eastern Samar.

Under construction are evacuation centers in Quinapondan, Mercedes, and Balangkayan in Eastern Samar. Similar structures will also rise in Tacloban City in Leyte and Lawaan in Eastern Samar.

Mitra said the project complements efforts of national and local governments in enabling the timely and sustainable recovery of Yolanda-affected communities and also builds their resilience to future natural disasters.

The two-storey center, with a cost of PHP12 million each, integrates water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and fitted with solar panels and generator set.

“This is the best possible design for the local circumstances within the budget available for us,” Mitra said.

The UNDP urged local government units to use the building for community development activities during “non-disaster events.”

European Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen, who led the turnover of the facility to local government units, said the project manifests that EU values its strong partnership with the Philippine government.

“We commend the Philippine government on the remarkable and impressive progress in its recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The EU remains to be a committed partner of the Philippines not just in responding to and recovering from disasters, but also in the journey towards sustainable development,” Jessen said.

The EU post-Yolanda assistance through UNDP tagged as Project Recovery is a comprehensive disaster risk reduction package seeks to increase the capacities of communities and local governments, reduce community vulnerabilities, and increase people’s capacities towards building safer and resilient communities. (PNA)
BNB/SARWELL Q. MENIANO