Philippines - Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the first area in the Philippines to be struck by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013, today received a donation of two fire trucks and a variety of fire and rescue equipment from France.

The donation, organized by the French NGO International Emergency Fire Fighters (Pompiers de l’Urgence Internationale or PUI), in partnership with IOM, is designed to support the municipality in its recovery from the devastation wrought by Haiyan.

The donation is accompanied by a return visit from PUI, who intervened in Guiuan in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon. This time, however, their visit is designed to train the Guiuan Bureau of Fire Protection in the use of the new equipment and in advanced fire and rescue techniques, as well as IOM trainers in advanced First Aid training techniques.

Mayor Sheen Gonzalez of Guiuan said: “We are very thankful to PUI and IOM for the donation of the fire trucks and other equipment. Despite the wrath of Yolanda [local name for Haiyan], the Municipality of Guiuan is working diligently for the population in its recovery. This timely donation will assist the local government in improving emergency response capacities.”

“PUI is proud of its work in Guiuan in the aftermath of the typhoon last year, and is happy to have had the opportunity to return here and contribute to Guiuan’s recovery,” said Philippe Besson, President of PUI. “The vehicles and equipment will hopefully serve to protect the population of Guiuan in future emergencies,” he continued.

“Although seemingly small relative to the immense needs in terms of recovery and reconstruction in general, the fire trucks, equipment and trainings will make a major contribution to enhancing the capacity of Guiuan’s first responders, both in terms of everyday fires and accidents, but also in terms of the city’s preparedness in future disasters,” said Marco Boasso, IOM Chief of Mission in the Philippines.

IOM’s disaster risk reduction programming ranges from assisting local governments and vulnerable populations in the enhancement of mass evacuation systems in cases of natural disaster, to training of communities in crucial skills related to disaster preparedness and First Aid, to environmental projects.

“The recovery and reconstruction in Guiuan and other affected areas is a long-term process, requiring strong government leadership and the engagement of many actors. The fire trucks, equipment and trainings will serve to enhance the capacity of Guiuan’s first responders, both in terms of everyday fires and accidents, but also in terms of the city’s preparedness in case of future disaster” said Marco Boasso, IOM Chief of Mission in the Philippines.

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For more information please contact

Marco Boasso
IOM Philippines
Email: mboasso@iom.int
Tel. +639178485306