Community evacuation center to rise in E. Samar

GUIUAN, Philippines -  The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) yesterday led the groundbreaking for the construction of a pilot community evacuation center in this town in Eastern Samar.

The project, made possible by contributions of the FNS Charity campaign of Fuji TV, aims to improve evacuation facilities in typhoon-affected areas in the province, many of which were damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander, IOM Philippines Chief of Mission Marco Boasso, Eastern Samar  local government officials and community representatives  attended the event.

“Children are most vulnerable in times of natural disasters. We want to make sure they not only survive but also thrive. It is important that they can still play, learn and interact with friends and family. Returning to school is a priority in ensuring the safety and well-being of children as well as returning  to normalcy in post-disaster situations,” Sylwander said. 

Boasso said the evacuation center would provide “life-saving protection” during natural disasters and operate as a post-disaster emergency shelter for families displaced due to damaged infrastructure and housing.

“After Typhoon Haiyan, many schools were used as post-disaster emergency shelters. This meant that many children were unable to go back to school – a major concern for UNICEF,” he added.

The evacuation center can accommodate up to 350 people. 

IOM and UNICEF will start work on the second community evacuation center in the city of Borongan in October.