Last year the Philippines was battered by two major natural disasters: a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Bohol on October 15, and Typhoon Haiyan pummeled the eastern islands on November 8. Over 1.2 million houses were damaged or destroyed and 6,300 people lost their lives.
We have been busy laying the engineering groundwork for the nationwide implementation of disaster-resistant design and construction training.
We are also working with the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development, which is responsible for overseeing the repair of houses affected by the earthquake and typhoon.
We have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Social Housing Finance Corporation to provide technical assistance to families that are participating in its Community Mortgage Program.
We are providing technical assistance directly to families rebuilding in Eastern Samar, with partner Cordaid.
We are grateful for the support of our partners. Our technical work and collaboration with the Philippines government will impact the safety of the entire country far into the future.
