World Vision houses 500 families in post-quake Bohol

BOHOL, Philippines – From temporary shelters and makeshift dwellings, around 500 quake-affected families in Maribojoc, Bohol are now moving to permanent homes under World Vision’s Progressive Core Shelter Project, 10 months after the devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol. 

“It is our hope that as we help rebuild communities to be more resilient, more children can realize their full potentials as they live and start anew in their newly-built homes with their families,” Josaias dela Cruz, World Vision Executive Director, said. 

The two-bedroom core shelter, with an area of 30 square meters, is made of sturdy concrete base and footing, wooden posts and walling, and galvanized iron roofing. Provisions for latrines also address sanitation and hygiene concerns in affected households promoting health and well-being for quake-hit families, especially children.

The project aims to promote the restoration of family life and development, child protection, and gender sensitivity among disaster-affected households and communities. Families receive certificates of housing entitlement, promoting security of housing in affected communities.  

Recovery

Cash-for-work activities are also integrated in the shelter project to provide additional income and short term work for 550 carpenters and laborers who compose the workforce responsible for housing construction. Shelter repair kits were also provided to 412 households in the municipality of Antequera and Maribojoc.

“We are grateful to be blessed with the capacity and resources to support our government through our various humanitarian partners together with generous help of the people of Canada,” dela Cruz said.

For the recovery phase of World Vision’s Central Visayas Earthquake Emergency Response, the shelter project is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, and the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation in Canada. Implementing partners include the Maribojoc local government, the National Housing Authority, and Oxfam.

In the emergency relief phase, World Vision assisted around 7,015 families or 35,075 individuals providing water, food, hygiene kits, bath towels, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and other much needed emergency supplies with the support of various stakeholders  such as government and corporate partners, international and local donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, community partners, supporters, and child sponsors.

“The resources that we were able to pool together enabled us to serve the needs of our fellow Boholanos who have been gravely affected by the earthquake,” dela Cruz added.

At least 1,468 children received psychosocial support through child friendly spaces (CFS) in communities and schools. 4 schools with 32 teachers were trained to give CFS sessions for school children who were affected by the earthquake.

Neil Reeder, the Ambassador of Canada; Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto; Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr.; World Vision National Director Josaias dela Cruz and World Vision Board of Trustees Chairperson Liwayway Vinzons-Chato led the thanksgiving and handover rites.

World Vision has been doing development work in Bohol for more than 20 years now, and it currently supports at least 5,289 children through its child well-being and development programs in 8 municipalities, with support from World Vision Hong Kong, World Vision Singapore and World Vision in the Philippines. – Rappler.com