PRC Revisits Various Provinces Two Years After Yolanda to Check on Project Progress

Two years after the devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda, more than 66,000 houses have been built, and the Philippine Red Cross is still constructing more in its ceaseless efforts of recovery and renewal in nine provinces and countless municipalities affected.

However the Yolanda experience is not just about providing shelter, medical assistance and other basic services. The Philippine Red Cross embarked on massive rescue, rehabilitation, and renewal operations that have been one of the most successful worldwide as attested to by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC).

To commemorate the 2nd year anniversary of typhoon Yolanda, top representatives from the PRC are revisiting the various provinces hardest hit by the typhoon to check on the current progress of PRC efforts.

The first place to be visited was Cebu where a formal turn over of the houses located at the Red Cross village was given to 128 families in Daanbantayan, Cebu. The livelihood center, barangay health station and other facilities including a solar powerplant were constructed with the help of various donors like French Red Cross, and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and France-Philippines United Action and through donations from French companies such as Total, Sanofi and Caisse des Dépôts, as well as donations from the French people; were also inaugurated.

The November 8 leg focuses on the turn over of completed projects and the delivery of the Red Cross report aptly delivered in the hardest-hit province of Leyte that documents and catalogs the successful projects conducted in the areas of shelter, livelihood assistance, health and sanitation, school re-construction and repair among other things.

Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Chairman (PRC) said, “The Yolanda experience has transformed the Philippine Red Cross into a full service Red Cross. No longer is the Philippine Red Cross just a provider of first aid and assistance in the midst of natural calamities and disasters; the PRC has become a partner in providing basic services and continuing assistance in giving back not only what the people have lost but more importantly helping them get back their lives and dignity.”

Highlights of the report outlined the tremendous efforts by the PRC and all partner agencies and donors and looked back at the timeline of what had been done which started as early as November 6, two days before typhoon Yolanda’s landfall.

As early as November 6, PRC chapters have already been advised to take precautionary measures and have been mobilized to consolidate supplies, vehicles, equipment and manpower. By the 7th of November, an SMS blast was sent by Richard Gordon to all Chapters to activate response units. And as typhoon Yolanda made landfall on November 8, in the next 24 hours the PRC was on the ground delivering crucial services to the people affected.

After two long and difficult years since November 8, 2013, PRC has focused its efforts on shelter, livelihood assistance, healthcare, hygiene and sanitation and education. As testament to their efforts, the PRC built 66,011 homes; provided 59,218 households with livelihood assistance; reached 90,779 families with cash relief assistance during the emergency phase; rehabilitated and constructed 410 classrooms; provided 32 schools with improved access to water and sanitation facilities with 55,503 families participating in Hygiene Promotion Activities.

The work did not end there. The men and women of PRC repaired/constructed 38 health facilities; conducted Community Based Health and First Aid Sessions in 121 communities that produced 1,145 volunteers trained; gathered 42,222 individuals who assisted with medical consultations, health promotion and health care referral and supplemental feeding programs.

However work is not over as the PRC continues to move forward in achieving its commitment to the countless families affected by typhoon Yolanda.

“The Philippine Red Cross understands that action without direction is nothing. We, the PRC, pride ourselves in being there at times when people need us most, sharing hope when there doesn’t seem to be any, and providing light when others cannot see the way,” shared Gordon. “As long as the PRC lives, we will continue to serve, protect and be of service to the Filipino people.”