Govt urged to increase efforts in providing shelter for Sendong victims

The United Nations on Monday urged the Philippine government to increase its efforts in providing shelter to the more than 200,000 victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, possibly before the start of the rainy season in May.   “The people in emergency tents must move into bunkhouses before the start of the next rainy season in May,” said UN resident coordinator Jacqueline Badcock, who visited the affected areas last Feb. 28 and 29 with representatives from Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain and the United States.   “I urge the government to continue to intensify its efforts to make more land available for temporary shelters,” she said.   Badcock further said humanitarian needs “will persist as long as thousands of people remain displaced without appropriate housing and community services.”   Over a thousand people were killed when Sendong — one of the strongest cyclones to hit the country in 12 years — caused flash floods that washed away villages in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities December last year. Some 211,000 people remained homeless and continue to live in evacuation centers or tents.   Badcock said she was impressed by the progress made several weeks after the tragedy, but said more resources are needed to help those affected “get back on their feet as soon as possible.”   “The resilience of the affected people is a source of encouragement to all,” she said. “Many people I have spoken to expressed a desire for work and for means of livelihood.”   The Philippines recently launched the revision of the flash appeal in response to the storm. The appeal seeks $39 million to cover the humanitarian and early recovery needs of over 624,000 people until June this year.   With more than $14 million received, the appeal is 36 percent funded with unmet requirements of $25 million, Badcock said. - KBK, GMA News