US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney today handed
over to Typhoon Reming survivors the last of 907 permanent homes
built by IOM in partnership with the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID).

The handover at two separate ceremonies in Sta. Eulalia, Baao,
Camarines Sur and in Bungkaras Village, Tagaytay, Camalig, Albay
mark the end of the IOM Bicol Core Permanent Shelter and Community
Revitalization Assistance Project targeting five of the communities
worst affected by the super-typhoon in late 2006.

In addition to housing, the project has also built multi-purpose
community centres in Sta. Eulalia, Bungkaras and Mauraro,
Guinobatan, Albay. These will be used for vocational training,
recreation, community markets, primary healthcare and as transit
and evacuation centres during emergencies.

The project has also helped displaced families and affected
communities to access social services lost as a result of the
disaster.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Maulit

IOM Philippines

Tel: +63921 5763

E-mail: "mailto:mmaulit@iom.int">mmaulit@iom.int