Rehabilitation of Health Stations in the Province of IOM and UNFPA work together to complete rehabilitation of damaged health stations

One of the main activities of IOM’s Health Programme is the reparation and rehabilitation of damaged health facilities to allow for post- earthquake re-opening. This week, IOM’s health teams together with UNFPA handed over three new rehabilitated Barangay Health Stations with birthing facilities in the municipalities of Maribojoc, and Loon in the Province of Bohol.

Bohol was affected by a massive earthquake in October 2013, which forced people to leave their homes and stay in evacuation centers. Since the beginning of the disaster response, IOM has supported the affected communities by providing the most basic social services such as access to health services and emergency shelter support. Nevertheless, there is still a residual need for additional health facilities that will address the medical and health needs of the communities especially women and girls Left to right: UNFPA representative, Government’s representatives and IOM One of the beneficiaries with her child after visiting the newly rehabilitated by building birthing facilities and women friendly spaces. Health Programme Manager during the handover ceremony © IOM 2014 health facility © IOM 2014

These new facilities will contribute to the empowerment of women and girls and improve their access to reproductive health services and psychosocial support.

The handover ceremony that took place on the 29th and 30th October, was attended by government representatives including the Vice Mayor of Bohol, municipal and barangay officials, community beneficiaries as well as UNFPA representatives and IOM Senior Operations Officer Rex Alamban and IOM Health Operations Coordinator Rose Baguios.

Rex Alamban extended his gratitude and appreciation to UNFPA, highlighting the importance of health assistance to disaster-affected populations, especially women and girls, and emphasized the need for future partnerships to continue supporting affected populations. Map of Bohol © IOM 2014 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in one of the three Barangay Heath Stations in Bohol © IOM 2014

IOM Philippines | Tel: +63 2 230 1999 | E-mail: [email protected]| Website: Http://philippineresponse.iom.int |Twitter: @IOM_Philippines Issued 30 October 2014