ERC to replace 10 Philippine schools

MANILA // Emirates Red Crescent is to build 10 schools destroyed in a typhoon that struck the Philippines in November.

The schools are located in two provinces ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan and are part of three agreements signed between ERC and the Philippine government, state news agency Wam reported.

About 7,700 students attend the schools in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.

The agreements are part of the initial ERC development efforts in affected areas, following emergency relief operations last year.

The group also has healthcare and education projects planned in affected areas.

Catbalogan City, capital of Samar province, bore the brunt of the typhoon, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda.

Thousands died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless as a result of the record-breaking storm.

ERC’s efforts come in response to directives from the UAE leadership followed up by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and ERC president.