SUPPORT from nations continues to stream after a series of super storms slammed the Philippines in recent weeks.
The European Union (EU) has pledged €1.05 million (about P60 million) in humanitarian-aid funding to deliver emergency-relief assistance for families affected by Supertyphoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco).
“The EU is scaling up its humanitarian assistance in the Philippines, in response to the devastating typhoons which hit the country,” said Arlynn Aquino, who oversees the bloc’s humanitarian response in the Philippines. “The additional contribution will help…get much-needed aid to the most vulnerable people to help them go through this difficult time.”
Ulysses hit the country while it was still struggling to cope with the devastating impact of equally-powerful Rolly (international name: Goni), which struck in early November. It has so far affected more than 3 million people, and forced more than 440,000 to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere, including in evacuation centers.
The region’s funding, part of the EU’s Acute Large Emergency Response Tool, or ALERT, will support humanitarian-aid partners who are already on the ground responding to immediate needs of those who need them most. These include shelter, food, health care and access to clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene, as well as other vital assistance.
Australia’s assistance
FOR its part, Australia has committed an additional P28.52 million to support the Philippine government’s response to the devastation caused by Rolly, particularly in the Bicol Region.
This commitment will contribute to the collective response from the humanitarian community in the Philippines. It will directly assist 23,345 affected persons—including 2,990 women and girls, especially pregnant and nursing mothers.
With this assistance, the commonwealth will provide life-saving support to the most-affected communities and municipalities in the Bicol Region, which will help them provide food for their families and repair damaged homes. It will also aid emergency medical teams in providing reproductive and maternal health care and counselling services.
“This support is even more critical following Supertyphoon Ulysses that caused further hardship for the people in…Bicol,” said Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO. “Australia stands with the Philippines in this time of need.”
“We have been coordinating with humanitarian partners in the Philippines to ensure our assistance is well-informed, targeted and supports the [national government’s] response.”
This additional commitment follows Australia’s immediate deployment of in-country prepositioned humanitarian supplies through the Philippine Red Cross and the United Nations Population Fund valued at about P6.48 million. Said assistance supported 1,000 vulnerable families and 1,400 women and girls—including pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as 400 newborn babies affected and displaced by Rolly.
Taiwan pitches in
THE government of the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Representative Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines on November 20 donated $200,000 as humanitarian assistance for the survivors of the recent natural disasters.
Vice Chairman Gilberto F. Lauengco of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office accepted the donation on behalf of the national government. There, he also received P700,000 donated by the Taiwan Association Inc. in the Philippines.
Lauengco extended his heartfelt appreciation for the financial grant, as he confirmed that whenever there is a need in the Philippines, its country-neighbor to the north is always there to offer a helping hand: “For that, the people of the Philippines are very grateful for Taiwan’s generosity and friendship.”
The island-nation also expresses its “heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones in the aforementioned tragic disasters, and extends a helping hand to the Philippines for its rehabilitation and recovery work.”
Image credits: TECO in the Philippines