THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines has extended assistance worth P9.9 million to areas affected by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai), as long-term recovery remains underway.
Convertible tents were delivered to the Province of Dinagat Islands and the municipalities of Del Carmen and Burgos in Siargao. Each of the 40-square-meter tents include a heavy-duty air-conditioned unit, tables, chairs, drilling machine, an electric fence, and an external camp light, which are necessary equipment for makeshift temporary operation centers.
The provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, where Siargao is part of, were among the worst-hit areas by Typhoon Odette in December 2021. The typhoon caused huge damages not only to livelihood, but to infrastructure as well. Dinagat Islands and the local government unit of Del Carmen will use the tent as a temporary office to augment the space of regular operation the frontline services post-disaster.
In the municipality of Burgos, the local government unit (LGU) used one of the convertible tents and set up a temporary birthing facility with four beds, as renovation of other facilities continues.
In addition to the tents, the women’s livelihood center in Del Carmen, Siargao received 10 units of various types of sewing machines to replace the ones that were damaged when the typhoon hit the island.
Women members of the livelihood center were involved in the production of eco bags and reusable face masks as additional sources of income prior to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. With new sewing machines, the Del Carmen LGU, in partnership with the Siargao State College and Technology, plans to hold a series of enterprise-planning and capacity-building activities to diversify the garments the livelihood center can sell and produce, which will directly benefit 40 women and their families.
“As the Philippines is among the most vulnerable countries to climate-related disasters, our support needs to be framed with long-term resilience in foresight,” said Edwine Carrie, UNDP Philippines officer in charge. “Alongside the equipment and tools we provided to partners, we want to build more resilient communities by increasing their capacities in disaster-risk reduction and creating diverse livelihood options, so that they are more prepared to face future risks.”
Image credits: UNDP
