Red Cross builds tent city in Hilongos, Leyte

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross will use two pay loader ships to transport disaster-affected people from Tacloban to Hilongos town in Leyte where a 4-hectare camp site is ready to provide temporary shelter for the homeless.

The base camp or tent city, similar to what PRC is building in Mandaue City in Cebu, will also have water and basic health facilities, an emergency response unit, and a place to conduct livelihood training for the evacuees.

"We will get a ship and will evacuate anyone who wants to evacuate. We are now setting up base camps in Cebu and Leyte. These people need to have dignity. And be able to take charge of their lives and be given the chance to rebuild their community," said PRC chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

PRC will also offer cash-and-food for work program for people affected by typhoon Yolanda. "Through sweat equity, affected individuals are encourage to help build these Red Cross tent cities and help in the clean up of areas ravaged by Yolanda's storm surge and strong winds," he said.

Gordon also called for volunteers to help in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Cebu and Leyte as well as in Samar, Eastern Samar, Panay, Iloilo, Palawan and other Yolanda-devastated provinces.

"Red Cross is also giving out shelter repair kits and conditional cash grants to help the most vulnerable in areas hit by Yolanda," Gordon added. (FREEMAN)