Yolanda survivors still waiting for shelter

CEBU CITY -- More than 10,000 households in northern Cebu have received roofing materials from 21 non-government organizations in the nearly three months since Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck.

Based on a report provided by Marten Van Der Veen, Shelter Cluster information manager and a member of the International Red Cross in the Netherlands, at least 33,000 families also received tool kits.

Before the roofing materials were distributed, Van Der Veen also reported, a total of 54,693 households received emergency shelter, like tents.

But at least 17,000 families still need to be relocated.

After Yolanda struck the Visayas last November 8, the government said it would prohibit houses within 40 meters of shorelines. The storm killed more than 6,000 persons and injured 28,000 others. It also damaged or destroyed at least P36 billion worth of infrastructure, agricultural equipment and crops all over the Visayas.

In a separate interview, Representative Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu Province, fourth district), said he had to write former senator Panfilo Lacson to remind him that northern Cebu also needs to be included in the rehabilitation program of the national government.

He said he hoped Cebu would get a big share of the P34.6 billion the House of Representatives has allocated for the rehabilitation of areas damaged last November by Yolanda.

According to the Shelter Cluster Dashboard report, as of last January 19, a total of 103,000 households were listed in 16 local governments in northern Cebu as having been affected by the typhoon.

P4.1B in losses

These 15 towns and one city lost P4.1 billion worth of crops, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities.

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Yolanda survivors still waiting for shelter