Hungary donated portable water treatment equipment to the Super Typhoon-hit province of Catanduanes, its embassy in Manila said Wednesday.
“This unit, manufactured by the Hungarian Water Technology Corporation (HWTC), is specifically designed to be portable, highly efficient, and deployable at a moment’s notice wherever clean drinking water is needed,” an embassy statement said.
“This unit has now been successfully deployed in Catanduanes to alleviate the shortage of drinking water there.”
Hungary previously donated a water treatment plant in Eastern Samar after Typhoon Yolanda devastated the province in 2013.
“Water management is a field where Hungary has ample experience, cutting edge technology, and a know-how to deliver assistance to its partners. The country is proud to be able to assist the Philippines as a friend in times of need and to be able to contribute with its knowledge and technology to the betterment of the infrastructure and livelihoods here,” the embassy said.
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Hungary gives portable water treatment equipment to Catanduanes
Hungary, through Hungary Helps, also gave $25,000 emergency assistance to families in selected areas affected by the typhoon, the embassy said.
“The typhoon, locally known as Rolly, left extensive destruction and damage in its path, killing at least 24 people, injuring 399 and displacing 130,266 people as of 9 November, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The typhoon has affected 1.9 million people in 8 of the country’s 17 regions, leaving an estimated 845,000 people in need of assistance,” reliefweb reported.
“More than 137,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, with more than 60 percent of the destruction recorded in Albay and Catanduanes, according to the DSWD report of 9 November. The typhoon was so strong that it not only destroyed houses made of light materials but also those that were built with concrete. Most families who evacuated as a pre-emptive measure have returned to their homes and have started to repair their damaged houses,” it added.