MANILA, Feb. 10 -- A total of 166 new classrooms built with materials and technicians sent from China was inaugurated Monday in Tacloban city, one of the worst-hit areas by typhoon Haiyan, or locally known as Yolanda, late last year.

The new classrooms, joint efforts by red cross societies of China and the Philippines, were built on the devastated campus of 20 schools in Tacloban, Palo, Tolosa, Tanuan and some other places.

At Monday's inauguration ceremony held at San Jose Central School in Tacloban city, Zhao Baige, executive vice president of Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), said, "We were shocked to learn the damage, the destruction and the despair brought about by Haiyan. When we were aware that over 4 million people were affected, among whom thousands of students could not go back to school because their classrooms were damaged, we sent our construction team here."

"We have built 166 classrooms in 20 schools within two month," she added.

To furnish the school rooms, each with an area of 60 square meters, the Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China donated 8,300 student arm chairs and 166 sets of teachers' tables and chairs.

At the ceremony, Zhao turned over classroom keys to the 20 schools where the classrooms were built.

Armin Luistro, FSC, secretary of the Department of Education, said in a statement that "we would like to sincerely thank the Red Cross Society of China for the outpouring of sympathies translated into humanitarian action and assistance."

Philippine Red Cross Chairman Gordon said,"Today, we have proven that if our two societies work together, we can accomplish great things for the benefit of humanity. This is just the beginning. I am looking forward to doing more with the Red Cross Society of China to help the people of Leyte and Tacloban get back on their feet again."

Classes in Eastern Visayas were disrupted when Haiyan hit the region, leaving most schools either destroyed or heavily damaged. In Tacloban alone, 51 out of the 54 schools at different levels were severely damaged.

The Philippines is among the most vulnerable nations to natural disasters. Super typhoon Haiyan hit the country's central part on Nov. 8, killing 6,201 people and injuring 28,626 others. Up to the end of last January, 1,785 are still missing.