P600 million from world body’s disaster fund to boost PH ‘Odette’ aid
In a Christmas gift of sorts, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund has released $12 million (about P600 million) in humanitarian assistance to help the Philippine government-led recovery efforts of communities severely affected by Typhoon Odette.
Ferdinandh Cabrera/AFP
“I am releasing $12 million from @UNCERF to help deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to support the Government-led response to Super #TyphoonRai (#OdettePH) in the #Philippines,” Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a Twitter post on Friday.
This developed as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Saturday belied reports there were still looting incidents in areas devastated by the super typhoon, but also said relief goods distribution remains hampered.
The looting happened only during the “early days” of the aftermath of Odette, but the police have since been deployed in these areas, said NDRRMC Spokesperson Mark Timbol. Supplies of relief goods have also been sent to these areas, he added.
However, Timbol also acknowledged that aid distribution to many storm-ravaged areas remains hampered by lack of personnel.
“Because our LGUs, their workers were also victims [of the typhoon] so not all of them are able to report to help in the networks on the ground,” Timbol said in an interview with Teleradyo.
Timbol said the main needs of evacuees and storm victims is food, drinking water and shelter materials.
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund supports rapid humanitarian response for people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict.
Gustavo Gonzales, UN country team coordinator in the Philippines, lauded the relief assistance, saying it will support the recovery efforts of the typhoon victims.
Earlier, the United States, China, South Korea and European Union have made pledges of assistance, committing that they each provide cash assistance to the Philippines to help in its relief operations.
The European Union said it would allocate €2.83 million or P160.69 million worth of humanitarian assistance to areas severely battered by Odette.
US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim Heather Variava has said that the US Agency for International Development, is providing P10 million in immediate assistance to support communities devastated by typhoon Odette.
“The United States is providing P10 million in immediate support, including food and shelter for communities affected by typhoon Odette,” Variava said in a statement.
According to Variava, USAID is partnering with Action Against Hunger to provide food, water, hygiene supplies, and other relief items to people affected by the typhoon in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
China said it will provide US$1 million or approximately P50 million in emergency cash assistance to the Philippines “to help the government and people in the typhoon Odette affected areas overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date”.
This was announced by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian as he turned over the last batch of 10,000 metric tons of China-aided rice to the Philippine government on Dec. 22.
“Donations have echoed President Xi Jinping’s condolences offered yesterday (Dec. 21),” the Chinese ambassador said.
Xi has extended to President Duterte his deep mourning for the victims and his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and injured. He expressed that “China stood ready to render assistance to the Philippine side to the best of its ability.”
For its part, the South Korean government said it will also donate US$2 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the country and an additional US$50,000 worth of in-kind donation in the coming days for relief response.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul made the announcement during his meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin on Wednesday.
Kim stressed the US$50,000 will be used to procure and deliver rice to those affected by the typhoon while the US$2 million cash assistance will boost the recovery efforts to build resilience and restore livelihoods in communities affected by typhoon.
Earlier, the US, China, South Korea as well as Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom launched their respective relief operations to help typhoon-stricken areas in the country by sending basic goods, generators, and temporary shelters.
The Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) donated emergency assistance packs to the country to aid victims of the typhoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The Philippine government received the assistance packs on Friday from Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, who conveyed Japan’s commitment to partnering with the country in disaster relief assistance.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Emmanuel Privado received generators, sleeping mattresses, sleeping pads, dome tents, jerry cans, and plastic sheets from the JICA storage in Singapore.
Myca Fischer, Acting Head of Office of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, represented the DFA at the arrival ceremony for the donation.
She also expressed appreciation of the government for Japan’s assistance towards those affected by “Odette.”