Korean Air Making a Difference in Cebu, Philippines

As part of its long-term Home Building Program, Korean Air has again partnered Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) to build shelters and offer immediate assistance for local communities in northern Cebu Province who are victims of Typhoon Hagupit, which occurred last December.

On 11 April, a group of 16 Korean Air employees and outsourced staff gathered at the Cebu office and volunteered with HFHP in helping build homes and providing maintenance trainings to the families, whose houses were seriously damaged or destroyed.

“As an international carrier, Korean Air recognizes the importance to contribute and grow with the local communities that we serve and we are strongly committed to helping with relief efforts in times of need. In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Philippines for the third home building project, Korean Air treasures this opportunity to engage our volunteers and utilize our resources to rebuild homes and restore hope for people suffering from natural disasters. We truly hope to extend our care and helping hand to underprivileged communities and we are eager to continue promoting sustainable developments across Southeast Asia through different local and global social responsibility initiatives,” said Jong Wook Park, Regional Manager in Cebu, the Philippines.

Korean Air has also donated house repair kits to the affected families. The kits contain plywood, lumber, corrugated roofing sheets, galvanized iron sheets, assorted nails, a hammer and a saw, which could be used to construct a small dwelling or to patch up walls and roofs of damaged houses.

Apart from providing training to the beneficiaries on the proper use of construction materials and safe building practices, HFHP has also arranged skilled laborers to assist residents to build their new homes.

This is the third HFHP Home Building Project that Korean Air has supported since October 2013. During the first two Programs, Korean Air joined HFHP to build houses for the underprivileged in Payatas, Quezon City, and Daanbantyaan, Cebu Province.

Last August, the Korean Air volunteer group, comprising of employees from the headquarter in Seoul, went to Bicol in the Philippines to offer assistance for typhoon victims. They helped to repair damaged houses, serving free meals, installing solar lamps and delivering basic medicine and nutritional supplements for residents living in the remote areas.

In November 2013, Korean Air provided relief goods to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Goods delivered to the country included 60,000 liters of mineral water, 60,000 noodle cups, 24,000 cups of dried rice and 2,000 blankets.