A number of KALAHI-CIDSS community subprojects proved to be disaster-resilient as they only suffered slight damages when Typhoon Odette (Rai) wreaked havoc in Siargao Island (Surigao del Norte) last December 16, 2021.

Some of these subprojects include school buildings, multi-purpose building, trading post, daycare center, evacuation center, and rainwater harvesting units.

While roofing of surrounding buildings were ripped off by strong wind, that of KALAHI-CIDSS remain intact.

In Suyangan, an island barangay of General Luna municipality, a KALAHI-CIDSS evacuation center also served its purpose as families took refuge inside the building before the typhoon made landfall.

“Nakatabang gyud sa amo kining evacuation center panahon sa bagyo, (This evacuation center has been a big help during the typhoon’s onslaught),” said Joy Escaret, whose family evacuated to the center. In the meantime, the Escaret family and other families are still living in the building as their houses were totally destroyed.

However, other KALAHI-CIDSS subprojects were razed by the typhoon. At present, KALAHI-CIDSS Caraga staff are conducting Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in areas affected by Typhoon Odette to determine how many subprojects were damaged and totally destroyed, including those ongoing subprojects.