By Mariana Zarrate | Digital Communications Coordinator
This video shares the story of Maria Abanzuela, a beneficiary of the Resilient Housing Program, whose experience reflects the transformative impact of investing in safer housing before disaster strikes. For Maria, access to this initiative has meant more than just improving her home; it has provided a sense of security, stability, and hope for her family’s future.
Led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Resilient Housing Program works in partnership with Filipino communities and microfinance institutions to help vulnerable families prepare for disasters rather than recover from them. Through access to affordable loans, families like Maria’s are able to rebuild and strengthen their homes, reducing their exposure to risk.
Beyond financial support, the program equips participants with Build Back Safer (BBS) knowledge through hands-on training and technical guidance from engineers and IOM shelter experts. For Maria, this means not only having a stronger house but also the confidence and knowledge to make safer construction decisions.
Her story illustrates a broader shift, from vulnerability to resilience, showing how proactive investment in housing can protect lives, preserve livelihoods, and empower communities to face future challenges with greater strength.
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