AID FROM FILIPINOS OVERSEAS, INT'L COMMUNITIES TOTALS P4.4 BILLION
MANILA, OCTOBER 10, 2009 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - Filipinos overseas and the international community have donated and pledged a total of $94,703,203 (approximately P4.41 billion) to victims of tropical storm “Ondoy” as of Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.Meanwhile, the United Nations has loaned two helicopters to help the government in rescue operations and the distribution of relief goods.
The two dismantled Russian-made helicopters arrived on board a Russian cargo plane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday.
Barry Came, UN World Food Program public information officer, said the Philippine government had asked for the helicopters.
The two helicopters can fly up to 600 kilometers non-stop and carry 20 people and some 2.5 tons of relief goods, he added.
Came said the two helicopters had just completed a fire-fighting mission in Turkey.
One more helicopter will arrive next week from Laos, he added.
The helicopters will be assembled within two or three days and will be based in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Reporting to President Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo identified the following as sources of the financial assistance:
• Bilateral partners – $14,515,908;
• Multilateral/regional organizations – $3,645,909;
• International organizations – $76,033,351;
• Foreign NGOs – $158,505;
• Filipino communities abroad – $62,842;
• DFA personnel at various posts – $10,082;
• Private individuals – $18,416;
• Others – $258,186.
The DFA said the financial assistance is a 616-percent increase over the $13.22 million (or approximately P634.76 million) reported three days ago.
“The above amount does not include donations in kind without specified monetary value, as well as medical missions, and other personnel and equipment deployed for search and rescue operations and assessment of damage caused by the typhoon,” the DFA said.
Renauld Meyer, UNDP country director for the Philippines, said the UNDP’s donation of $75 million worth of food and non-food items is based on the amount of assistance needed, as assessed by the joint teams sent out to municipalities affected by the floods last week.
“So we’re talking about food and non-food such as home equipment, blankets and clothing, shelter, education, health and all those very urgent needs that have been assessed as being required to address the direct effect of the flooding,” he said.
US assistance
The US government will provide an additional $2 million in grants for emergency humanitarian assistance to communities in Central and Northern Luzon affected by typhoon “Pepeng” and tropical storm Ondoy.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Leslie Bassett said $2 million will come from the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.
It is in addition to $1.9 million in grants and $400,000 in non-food goods donated by USAID/OFDA for Ondoy’s victims.
The US military continues to provide logistical support to the Armed Forces to help deliver relief goods to remote communities in Northern Luzon.
“The damage and personal suffering caused by this and earlier storms is an absolute tragedy. US military and civilian agencies are proud to continue to support Philippine rescue and relief efforts,” Bassett said.
“As President Obama said, ‘As a longstanding friend and partner of the Philippines, we stand ready to continue our cooperation and assistance in the coming days.’”
Australian contribution
The Australian government’s contribution for the needs of Ondoy’s victims has reached A$3 million (P120 million).
Australia’s initial assistance of A$1 million (P40 million) last Sept. 29 has provided water, food, sanitation services, immediate health care, shelter for displaced people in camps, and other essentials like clothes, tarpaulins, blankets and cooking utensils.
The assistance is being delivered through the Philippine National Red Cross and UN agencies, including UNICEF.
On Oct. 3, Australia announced a further A$2 million (P80 million) to feed thousands of people affected by the typhoon and storm.
It will be delivered through the World Food Program (WFP) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Australian technical experts are also working on the ground providing logistical and communication support to the response and relief efforts of the Philippine government and UN partners.
Several Australian NGOs are also actively involved in relief efforts.
UK assistance
The United Kingdom will provide £500,000 to the Philippines as part of the disaster recovery effort following the devastation caused by tropical storm Ondoy.
The British government has announced through its Department for International Development the assistance to typhoon victims.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said, “Natural disasters have a devastating impact wherever they strike but nowhere more so than in the developing world. It is right that we should play our part in the relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines. Britain stands ready to support those in need in times of crisis through government funding but also through the generosity of our individual citizens.”
Leading UK aid agencies announced broadcast appeals on radio and TV for public funds to help those affected by the typhoons.
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) chief executive Brendan Gormley announced the appeal.
“DEC member agencies are already responding despite the appalling conditions on the ground but we urgently need the public’s help to fund their work. We recognize that these are difficult and uncertain times for many people in the UK too but we have no doubt that there will still be a strong desire to help,” Gormley said.
British Ambassador Stephen Lillie welcomed the appeals.
“The terrible flooding caused by typhoon Ondoy has caused immense human suffering in the Philippines. It’s right that the United Kingdom, as a close friend and partner of the Philippines, should contribute to the relief effort. I hope that this contribution will make a real difference,” Lillie said.
“Despite the huge suffering, the disaster has also demonstrated the positive attitude and genuine humanity of the Filipino people as they help each other to get back to normality. I’d also like to pay tribute to the individual efforts of many members of the British community in Manila, who have been getting personally involved in the relief effort.”
Lillie and other members of the British community, including the British Women’s Association, helped distribute relief goods to over 1,000 typhoon victims in Payatas. – With Rudy Santos, Sheila Crisostomo
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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