United Nations to expand rehabilitation projects

A Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivor carries his belongings through the ruins of Tacloban City on his way back to his temporary shelter Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. A 2007 study funded by the United Nations Development Program foretold the impact of storm surges inundating the coastal communities of Leyte, its worst case scenario practically mirroring the devastation that Supertyphoon “Yolanda” wrought on the province two weeks ago. AP PHOTO/DAVID GUTTENFELDER

MANILA, Philippines—A United Nations arm is expanding the rehabilitation efforts to five provinces that Supertyphoon “Yolanda” devastated last November, a statement said.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has allocated $11 million that will fund emergency employment cash-for-work programs in Leyte and Samar with $7.5 million each, Cebu, $500,000; Panay, $2.5 million; and Palawan, $500,000.

UN’s cash-for-work programs initially covered debris clearing, rehabilitation of markets, schools, hospitals and other public spaces.

In the upgraded program, UN will now cover the re-establishment of livelihoods and local economy through the repair of municipal buildings, shops, boats and farms.

UNDP is currently operating cash-for-work programs in Tacloban, Palo and Roxas where workers earn P260 a day which is paid on a weekly basis in compliance with the government’s policy on salaries.

The target of the UNDP is to employ 10,000 people across the five provinces at year’s end and to raise another $38 million to achieve the recovery targets after Yolanda.

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