The Philippines vowed on Sunday to “build back better” 100 days after its deadliest typhoon left thousands dead and millions without homes.
Acknowledging that huge gaps in rehabilitation remained despite progress in humanitarian work, the government urged all Filipinos and donor agencies to keep extending support to those still vulnerable.
“As we mark the 100th day after super typhoon Yolanda (local name of Haiyan), the government is firmly determined to carry out massive rehabilitation efforts in all 171 municipalities and cities affected by this unprecedented calamity,” said presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma.
He said the disaster-prone country “must break the cycle of prediction, devastation and rehabilitation by adopting the principle of build back better” following the deadly storm.
The need for durable shelter for millions of people whose homes were damaged or destroyed is critical
Haiyan slammed into the central Visayas region on November 8 last year with winds of up to 315 kilometres an hour, triggering unprecedented destruction that left four million without homes.
It triggered huge tsunami-like storm surges that swallowed entire villages, killing at least 6,200 people with 2,000 others still missing.