CECI - Centre for International Studies and Cooperation

Published purpose

November 2013 – On 15 October 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol, an island province in Central Visayas, Philippines, killing 218 people and injuring 768 people. The earthquake affected more than three million people, displacing more than 350,000 people from their homes. The damage from the earthquake, valued at greater than $53 million, includes more than 60,000 houses, seaports, airports, churches, government and public buildings, schools, and hospitals. Aftershocks, which continued for weeks following the earthquake, caused further damage to vulnerable shelters. With DFATD's support, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) is meeting the critical lifesaving needs of 2,000 of the most vulnerable earthquake-affected families. Some project activities include: (i) providing food, non-food items (such as clothing), and hygiene kits (including items such as toothbrushes and soap); (ii) providing affected people with materials to build shelter through cash-for-work initiatives; (iii) installing solar lights/panels in areas with transitional shelters; (iv) providing cash grants to help revive women’s ability to earn a living; and (v) providing psycho-social training to 50 teachers to reduce anxiety and trauma for children and youth.