USAID, CRS end Yolanda recovery program

CATBALOGAN, Philippines – The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have ended their recovery program for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte.

The CRS and USAID in partnership with local officials have built houses for 3,275 families in the city’s 24 coastal villages.

“The program provided new shelters and built new communities for relocation. The residents of these new homes have been trained to expedite their recovery, engage in their new community and claim their right to a life of dignity,” Greg Auberry, CRS East and South Asia director said during ceremonies held on Thursday last week.

The program included the installation of more than 1,000 toilets, training of over 3,000 people in hygiene promotion, and provision of access to potable water for over 200 families in Tacloban City.

USAID and CRS also trained 4,000 people in evacuation drills and initiated the planting of mangroves to help the city become more resilient to the impact of typhoons and other natural disasters.

“The resilience and determination of the people of Leyte to recover and build back better truly inspired all of us. The American people through USAID will continue to work with our friends in the Philippines to help rebuild this region better and stronger,” Ben Hemingway of the USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance said.

The US government has so far donated $143 million to Yolanda victims. – Ricky Bautista, Lalaine Jimenea