Press Release
April 24, 2007

Red Cross launches shelter program and
food assistance for victims of 2006 typhoons

In response to the 2006 killer typhoons that devastated the Philippines The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) provides food and shelter program to affected families of typhoons.

The venture known as shelter program and food assistance to the families affected by the 2006 typhoons earns the estimated sum of 19.1million pesos worth of in-kinds and monetary donations for food for works assistance. Shelter rehabilitation program earned estimated cost support to date at U$ 7.8 million worth of in-kinds and monetary donations. Fifteen thousand, six hundred (15, 600) families in the areas of Albay, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental and Camarines Sur will benefit the funded project.

Through the appeal launched by the federation on behalf of the PNRC. PNRC and the IFRC will provide the construction materials, guidelines and technical support to ensure better typhoon resistant reconstruction.

To guarantee that the construction will adequately protect affected families from the regions frequently occurring natural calamities (heavy winds, rains, and annual typhoons), the distribution of construction materials is accompanied by community-based training on safe-construction from third week of February. This includes the training of beneficiaries, professional carpenters and of PNRC volunteers in 6 provinces mentioned.

Distribution of the shelter materials and food will start on April 22, with the presence of Australian AmbassadorTony Hely; PNRC Chairman Richard Gordon, IFRC Head of Delegation; Roger Bracke; AusAID Counsellor, Sam Zappia., and PNRC Secretary General, Corazon Alam De Leon.

Chairman Gordon stated in his discourse during the 60th Anniversary of the PNRC last April 15 that, the Red Cross extends immediate assistance to hundredths of thousands victims of disasters. This includes support to the reconstruction of 15, 000 houses that have been severely damaged or destroyed by super-typhoons in the Southern Luzon Regions.

The Red Cross is always first, always ready and always there, he stressed

Other donors included the International Committee of the Rotary Club of Newcastle-under-Lyme, through DHL Global Forwarding. They provided 200 aquaboxes, a robust plastic tank with water purification tablets and packed with essential welfare items for families affected by disasters. These items will benefit 200 families in Pili, Camarines Sur.

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