UNDP completes 'Yolanda' housing project in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, March 16 (PNA) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has completed the construction of 55 disaster-resilient houses for super typhoon "Yolanda" survivors living in a low-lying coastal community here.

The UN global development network turned over the new houses on Thursday to former residents of Sagkahan district, who have stayed in bunkhouses for more than two years.

Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Philippines deputy country manager, said the construction of disaster-resilient core shelters is part of the European Union’s (EU) package of assistance, delivered through UNDP’s Project Recovery, to help families affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

The UNDP post-Yolanda projects got a funding support of approximately PHP508 million from the EU.

“Our appeal to the families is to maintain their houses. We believe that we have helped build stronger, and more united and empowered communities who will always rise up to any calamity that might happen in the future,” Gaveglia told reporters.

Each core shelter unit, costing PHP350,000, has a floor area of 35 square meters (sqm) and a lot area of 55 sqm.

Since January, some families have started moving to their new homes built in Cabalawan village, which is 13 kilometers away from the city’s commercial district. Others opted to transfer later since the resettlement site is far from schools where children are currently enrolled.

“Our family have stayed in a bunkhouse for more than two years. I am very happy that we will now be able to live in a beautiful and sturdy house. This is worth the wait,” said Wendell Ferreras, a father of three.

The city government vowed to complete the concreting of roads and other support facilities within the housing site with funding support from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

UNDP’s Project Recovery aims to provide a model for disaster-resilient resettlement infrastructure.

 The project is constructing 165 disaster-resilient houses with level two water systems and 

electrical support facility in three sites - Ormoc City, Tacloban City and Hernani in Eastern Samar.

The project also helps to build the capacities of the local government units in addressing shelter, land and resettlement planning and management issues and needs.

UNDP’s post-Yolanda aid focuses on rebuilding disaster-resilient infrastructure; restoring livelihoods and jobs in farming and fishing communities; addressing land management issues and shelter construction models to ensure relocation of displaced populations; and strengthening capacities and linkage of national and local governance disaster response and preparedness.(PNA)
JMC/BS/SARWELL Q. MENIANO