Australia hikes financial aid to provide additional food, water to 'Pablo' victims

Tweet

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

Australia has increased its financial assistance to the Philippines, providing additional food, safe drinking water, and temporary shelters to thousands of Filipinos who are in the process of rebuilding their lives after typhoon Pablo. 

The additional P307 million (A$7.3 million) financial aid will also provide support to people with disabilities, especially in areas hardest-hit by the typhoon. In the worst hit areas, Australia will also support activities to protect and counsel traumatized children. 

"Australia will continue to assist the Philippine Government’s well-coordinated efforts to address this crisis," Australian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Andrew Byrne said. "The number of affected people requiring food, water and health services is staggering. Nutrition and health risks are also alarmingly increasing, especially among the most vulnerable of the affected populations, including children, women, the elderly and the disabled."

Of the total P307 million assistance, P84 million (A$2 million) will be allotted to prepositioned emergency, food, and health supplies through the Philippine Red Cross, World Food Programme, and UN Population Fund. 

Some P126 million (A$3 million) will be used to respond to the UN appeal, including the provision of increased rice stocks through the World Food Program, emergency shelters through Habitat International, livelihood support through the International Labour Organization, and health supplies through the UN Population Fund.

Meanwhile, P84 million (A$2 million) will be used to provide access to clean and safe water for 25,000 people, emergency shelter for 3,500 vulnerable families, and set up safe child-friendly spaces for 3,000 children through Oxfam Australia, Save the Children Australia, and Caritas Australia.

Some P12.6 million (A$300,000) will be given to non-government organizations working in Mindanao to assist specific emergency relief need of needs of persons with disabilities.

“This assistance reflects the Australian people’s commitment to helping our friends in times of need,” Mr Byrne said. “I hope Australia’s humanitarian assistance can help some of the worst-affected families to rebuild their lives.” 

Follow @interaksyon