AUSTRALIA PROVIDES UP TO A$500,000 (PHP17.5 MILLION) IN HUMANITARIAN AID FOLLOWING TYPHOON NONA (MELOR)

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (or Ambassador) announced today that the Australian Government will provide A$500,000 or PHP17.5 million in humanitarian assistance for families affected by Typhoon Melor (locally known as Typhoon Nona).

 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, almost 743,000 people were pre-emptively evacuated in 14 provinces due to Typhoon Nona. The typhoon claimed 42 lives with four people still missing, and left 1.4 million people with their houses damaged or destroyed. Almost 300,000 people took shelter in 304 evacuation centres over Christmas and face the prospect of prolonged stay after the new year. 

 

Minister Bishop said in a statement that in response to the Government of the Philippines call for assistance to utilise in-country resources, Australia will provide critical items such as tarpaulins for emergency shelter, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, water containers, hygiene kits and sexual and reproductive health kits for women.

 

Australia will release preposition in-country stores with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Philippine Red Cross to affected families in hard-hit areas. 

 

Australia will also provide assistance to sexual and reproductive health services through the partnership of the Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines and the International Planned Parenthood Federation

 

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said, “The Australian Government and our people are concerned for families who sadly face difficult conditions over Christmas and New Year. We recognise and support the leadership of the Government of the Philippines and the considerable resources it has provided in responding to the needs of those affected by Typhoon Nona. We hope that Australia’s assistance through prepositioned in-country stores with partners will help augment the Government’s resources.”

 

“We have a long legacy of cooperation and this assistance is part of Australia’s continued support to our friends in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Tweddell.

 

Over the last ten years, Australia assisted the Philippine Government and communities to better prepare for, cope with and recover from, and respond to natural disasters. Through Australia’s aid program, support included multi-hazard and risk mapping, updates to land use and contingency plans and zoning ordinances, establishment of early warning systems and emergency management teams in high-risk areas.

 

For Minister Bishop’s full statement, please click here.