By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, Dec. 2 (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday that about 1,000 tents were airlifted over the weekend for homeless “Yolanda” victims in Tacloban and Ormoc cities in Leyte and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.
According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, the tents were donated by the Australian government and transported by Royal Australian Air Force in coordination with DSWD from Mactan Air Base in Cebu.
Soliman said that the tents were turned over to the DSWD by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell.
She added that each tent has a floor area of 16 square meters and can accommodate a family with eight to 10 members.
“Food, water, and the health of people affected by typhoon Yolanda remain as pressing priorities, but it is also important to focus on providing them temporary shelter,” Ambassador Tweddell said.
The ambassador emphasized that while tents are only “a temporary solution and are just a small part of our overall assistance, these are also critical to help people start to rebuild their lives.”
Soliman said she is very thankful for the generosity of the Australian government in providing continuing assistance to families affected by the typhoon.
“Aside from the monetary aid that they already have provided, the Australian government is also providing other much-needed assistance in the relief operations. We thank them for being always ready to lend a hand to the Filipino people,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DSWD chief also said that the Royal Australian Air Force has agreed to transport some 1,300 tents donated by the People’s Republic of China for the typhoon survivors. (PNA)