AUSTRALIA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO GUINSAUGON LANDSLIDE SURVIVORS
(From right to left) Australian Ambassador Tony Hely, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Counsellor Sam Zappia, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon, So. Leyte Gov. Rossette Lerias, and St. Bernard Mayor Maria Lim, visit and inaugurate the housing project supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) for the survivors of the landslide in St. Bernard, So. Leyte. The 130 housing units are located in the New Guinsaugon Village in Brgy. Magbagacay in St. Bernard. The Australian Government, through AusAID, provided PhP37.3 million to support the relief and rehabilitation activities for the people affected by landslide in St. Bernard in February 2006. Of this, PhP25 M was provided to PNRC for the construction of 130 housing units, distribution of relief goods, health and hygiene kits to families, training on disaster preparedness and provision of gears and equipment. Australian Government’s assistance was also coursed through the UNICEF, Community and Family Services International, Leyte Center for Development Inc., and Oxfam Great Britain. AusAID is also funding a PhP32-million Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Project with PNRC.