Australia pledges Php25 million in humanitarian aid to typhoon victims

The Australian Government today announced it will provide Php 25 million (A$605,000) to support victims of recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel (international names “Nesat” and “Nalgea”).

“On behalf of the Australian Government and people I extend heartfelt condolences to the people of the Philippines for the loss of life and the destruction resulting from these devastating typhoons,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith.

“Australia is deeply concerned for the suffering of more than three million people affected by this devastation. They are in dire need of emergency assistance. They have lost their homes and livelihoods and many are in evacuation centres with limited access to food, health, water, and other basic services. Health risks are also increasing alarmingly, especially among the most vulnerable, including children, women, the elderly and the disabled.”

Australia's contribution will assist the relief operations of the Philippine Government through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in the hardest hit areas in central and northern Luzon. The funding will provide emergency supplies of drinking water, blankets, hygiene kits and related essential items such as mosquito nets and kitchen sets to some 10,000 families.

Ambassador Smith said, “The Australian Government has pre-positioned these items with PRC so that they can be drawn upon immediately in serious situations such as this. This allows Australia to assist the Philippine Government to respond quickly and effectively.”

Australia will consult with the Philippine Government to determine if further assistance is required.

Over the last five years Australia has provided extensive humanitarian and emergency assistance to the Philippines for a number of natural disasters. Emergency response is part of Australia’s broader support for disaster risk management in the Philippines. Australia works with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Philippine Red Cross, and the United Nations Development Program to strengthen disaster risk reduction capacity in the country, including hazards mapping and community-based disaster management.

Australia and the Philippines have a strong relationship, underpinned by over 50 years of partnership in development cooperation. The aid partnership with the Philippines is one of Australia’s largest, with more than Php20 billion in official development assistance over the last five years. Australia’s current annual aid to the Philippines is estimated at almost Php5.5 billion – placing Australia amongst the top grant donors to the Philippines.