Foreign help for typhoon victims eyed

MANILA -- A global non-government organization vowed to raise US$4.3 million (roughly P47 million) for the relief and recovery programs in areas badly-hit by Typhoon “Juan” (international codename: Megi).

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the money will be coursed through the Philippine Red Cross, which has been assisting affected communities.

The appeal would help the PRC to provide relief and early recovery support to 60,000 people across the five worst-hit provinces over the next 12 months.

The operation will focus on distributions of food and non-food items and shelter repair kits as well as providing essential water storage and hygiene items to the victims.

Based on PRC’s estimate, the battered localities need shelter materials since 31,000 houses were destroyed and more than 118,000 were partially damaged.

“Survivors continue to trickle out of evacuation centers, not because they have homes to return to, but to salvage whatever they can. They need every support to rebuild their lives and to live in dignity,” said PRC Richard Gordon. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)