AUSTRALIA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF TROPICAL STORM ONDOY
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith, and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan MP, today conveyed Australia’s condolences to the Philippine Government and people for the tragic loss of life and property caused by Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’.
The Australian Government will provide Php 40 million (A$1 million) to support victims of Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’.
“Australia's contribution will help with the relief operations of both the Philippine Government and the Philippine National Red Cross, including providing emergency supplies of drinking water, food, clothing, hygiene kits and related essential items,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.
‘Ondoy’ recorded the greatest amount of rainfall and worst flooding in the country in over four decades, and has affected over 400,000 people mostly in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces in southern Luzon.
The Philippine Government has responded urgently through search and rescue operations especially for those stranded by the flooding and buried by landslides.
Australia stands ready to offer further assistance if additional needs are identified by the Philippine Government. A joint needs assessment is currently being undertaken by the National Disaster Coordinating Council and United Nations agencies.
In response to a number of natural disasters since 2006, Australia has provided extensive humanitarian and emergency assistance to the Philippines.
Australia is also working with the Philippine National Red Cross, the United Nations Development Program and the National Disaster Coordinating Council to strengthen disaster risk reduction capacity in the country, including hazards mapping and community-based disaster management.
Australia is a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and one of the country’s largest bilateral grant aid donors.