Disaster-proof houses in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The French government will be sending a team of architects and engineers to the Philippines for the second phase of its operations for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

In a press conference yesterday, French Ambassador Gilles Garachon said the second phase will focus on helping rebuild the homes of the victims. As if their help is not enough, Garachon said they will help build and teach Cebuanos how to build houses that can withstand disasters.

“We will be building earthquake-proof and typhoon-proof houses and, at the same time, we will teach the people how to build one. We will be bringing in the technology,” Garachon said.

Aside from helping rebuild houses, the team will also help rebuild classrooms.

For now, however, the focus is on the first phase of the relief efforts – that is, providing victims with food, water, and medicines, among others. 

“We want to let the Filipinos know that we are on your side always. We are always here to help you. The French people and its government are move on the magnitude of  your sufferings. That’s why we are mobilize to help the best that we can,” Garachon said.

Michel Lhuillier, honorary consul of France, said he is the one coordinating with the humanitarian team and with the Cebu provincial government to ensure faster distribution of relief goods to the typhoon victims.

“I cannot imagine how the victims are suffering now. We have to help them as fast as we can,” Lhuillier said.

The humanitarian team from the French non-government organization, Action Internationale Contre La Faim (AICF), accompanied by 16 civil security officers, and two officers from the French government’s Crisis Center based in Paris arrived here last Saturday.

Forty French firefighters also arrived here the other day.

French President Francois Hollande, on behalf of the French Republic, extended his sympathies to all those suffering from the typhoon in a letter to President Benigno Aquino III. — (FREEMAN)