(From left to right) Al-Radji Palawan, Program Officer for Shelter and WASH Engagements in Emergencies Team, Al-haron D. Datudacula, Peace Zone Full-time volunteer, and Juhaira Saidali, Peace Zone Area Coordinator during the orientation for local builders of the shelter project for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs at Sarip Alawi tent city, Balo-I, Lanao del Norte last Wednesday, April 25. (Photo by: HS Macapoli)
Duyog Marawi (DM) held an orientation for local builders of the shelter project for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs at Sarip Alawi tent city, Balo-I, Lanao del Norte last Wednesday, April 25.
The orientation establishes some basic rules and procedures for the implementation of the shelter project.
DM Peace Zone Team facilitated the event. It was graced by the attendance of the barangay chair of Sarip Alawi, Hon. Samsodin Balas.
This project of DM in partnership with DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan, Marawi) Bishops spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Celestino C.
Palma of Archdiocese of Ozamis aims to decongest the tent city and to address the need for shelter and safety of the IDPs.
Eight (8) IDP families will benefit from the transitional houses that will be provided by the project. The selection was done in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Wednesday event includes series of activities like community consultation, community profiling, community validation and community assessment.
According to Area Coordinator of the Peace Zone Team, Juhaira Saidali, the local builders (carpenters) were also IDPs from the area. They will work on the building of the transitional houses with pay.
IDPs expressed their gratitude for the upcoming shelter project. An IDP said that there is no person who was not grateful enough to have his or her own house especially if it is freely given.
“Regarding sa gya mga pabahay iran na myakapiya piya ini da a taw uba nyan di kabaya uba di makakuwa sa walay balabaw skami a mga IDPs na aya mataan na apya so mga home base na aya iran aya mapipiker e kapakakuwa iran sa walay apya skayan upama na mayto so material iyan na naba tanto kwan na atleast na importante na myakakuwa kami ron”, IDP Guro said. (With regards to this shelter project implementation, it is very nice. There is no person who doesn’t want to have their own house especially us, IDP’s and even those home-based IDP’s so even though the house was not that big enough but we’re thankful that we were given one.)
According to Saidali, the shelter project’s purpose is to give comfort and safety to the families especially to the children. She also emphasized that living in a tent is for emergency purposes and not for permanent living.
“We all know naman na tent is good for emergency period and if I’m not mistaken 3-6 months lang yung capacity ng mga tent, sabi nga sa amin ng DSWD na last option na talaga yung mga tent pag wala ng matirahan yung IDP’s that’s the reason why we want them to give a shelter kasi yung life nila is very at risk lalo na yung mga bata at prone din sa sakit yung mga bata kasi mainit sa tent tapos wala tayong makikitang insulator sa taas so very mainit and of course hindi maganda sa health ng tao na nakatira sa tent, at least man lang mabigyan sila ng protection and accommodation na maganda , for safety purposes na rin”, Saidali said. (We all know that tent is for emergency purposes only. If I am not mistaken, tent will only last up to 3-6 months, DSWD told us that tent would be the last option for the IDPs that’s the reason why we want them to give a shelter because their life is very at risk especially to the children and they were very prone to diseases. Tent do not have sufficient insulator so it is very uncomfortable to live with at least we can provide them protection, conducive accommodation and for safety purposes also.) (BG Umpa / Duyog Marawi News)