55 Eastern Samar families get new houses from UNDP

HERNANI, Eastern Samar, March 17 (PNA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has turned over 55 houses to families badly hit by super typhoon Yolanda in this sleepy town.

Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Philippines’ deputy country manager led the ceremonial turnover of 55 housing units to the beneficiaries in Canceles village here Thursday afternoon.

“The UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis and build back better,” Gaveglia said.

One of the core shelter beneficiaries is Lilia Quiñones, 64, who is excited to transfer to her new home with her grandson.

“Finally, I will have a house of my own after three years of sharing a makeshift house with my sister,” Quiñones said.

These houses were part of the UNDP’s Project Recovery in partnership with the European Union (EU) after the devastation wrought by the typhoon on Nov. 8, 2013.

“UNDP’s program works to ensure a model for disaster-resilient resettlement infrastructure.

There was sweat equity from the beneficiaries in building the houses to promote good values and give them a sense of ownership,” he added.

UNDP and EU partnership has been constructing 165 houses across Tacloban and Ormoc cities and Hernani, Eastern Samar province. It costs PHP350,000 per unit with floor area of 35 square meters. These are built to withstand strong typhoons. 

The houses were provided with water-system and electrical support facility. The program also capacitates the local government units in helping in addressing, shelter, planning and management issues. 

The land purchase for the housing and the Community Evacuation Center built nearby was donated by the local government of Marikina in the amount of PHP2.4 million.

The UNDP’s Recovery Project is part of the PHP508 million EU’s package of assistance to help the efforts of the national and local governments to give a better life to survivors after Yolanda.(PNA)
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