Abu Dhabi: Residents of the Philippine province of Samar, which was ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) four years ago, now have access to a fully-renovated hospital and a community health centre thanks to the efforts of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday announced that the ERC has successfully concluded and turned over its projects in the Philippines for Typhoon Haiyan victims as part of the UAE’s humanitarian and developmental project in the country. Dr Mohammad Ateeq Al Falahi, secretary-general of ERC, officiated the ceremony.
Super Typhoon Haiyan, whose destructive power was rated equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, ravaged central Philippines in November 2013, killing more than 6,000 people and wiping out entire villages.
Four years after the catastrophe, Samar’s general hospital has been fully reconstructed and equipped with modern medical equipment by the ERC to serve an estimated 350,000 people.
The ERC, in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross, the Department of Health, and the Dolores Local Government Unit, constructed and furnished a Community Health Centre in Dolores, Samar, that can serve up to 124,000 residents.
“I wish to express my deep appreciation in the continuing support of the UAE, through the Emirates Red Crescent, to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan as they continue to rehabilitate their communities and rebuild their lives,” Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio Vingno Jr said.
From 2014 to 2015, the ERC also rebuilt 18 schools destroyed by the typhoon in Eastern Samar. The Dh27-million project can accommodate 9,828 students in 102 classrooms. The schools also have 15 indoor playgrounds and 12 auditoriums.
