A decision to re-open schools in flood-hit northern Mindanao is being cited as key to re-establishing normality even though there are still huge challenges.
“It is better to be in school rather than doing nothing in the evacuation centers. Going to school establishes a sense of normality amid this crisis,” Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Luz Almeda told IRIN, referring to the 3 January opening.
“In times of disaster when many things have been rendered dysfunctional, showing that the education system is functioning again sends a positive message,” Yul Olaya, an education officer with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), agreed.
Tropical storm Washi pummeled northern Mindanao island, including the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, on December 16-18, with flash floods as high as 4.3m washing away schools and damaging or destroying close to 52,000 homes.
According to government estimates, damage to infrastructure, agriculture and school buildings now exceeds $30 million.
More than 1,250 people died in the storm, while 176 are still missing, the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on January 10.
Some 24,500 people are still in 55 evacuation centers, many of them schools, down from almost 70,000 at Christmas time.
More than 200,000, however, are still staying with relatives or in makeshift shelters.
Figures released by the DepEd indicate that 49 schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were damaged or used as evacuation centers, with two schools in Iligan City completely washed away by raging floodwaters.
Read more of the story here at the IRIN news service:
PHILIPPINES: Flood-affected schools re-open, but challenges remain
