Australia to assist Typhoon Pablo victims
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced that Australia will make available to the Philippine Government up to PHP210 million (A$5 million) in life-saving and early recovery assistance to help Filipinos affected by Typhoon Pablo.
“On behalf of the Australian Government and people, I extend heartfelt sympathies for the loss of lives and destruction resulting from this devastating typhoon,” said Australian Embassy Chargé d'affaires Andrew Byrne.
“We commend the Philippine Government for its preparedness and response. We will continue to work with the government and other partners so they can draw on Australian assistance as needed,” Mr Byrne noted.
As part of its disaster preparedness program in the Philippines, Australia works with partners to pre-position emergency supplies. This enables a rapid response to natural disasters.
Of the PHP210 million (A$5million) offered to the Philippine Government today, Australia will immediately make available PHP38.5 million (A$900,000) to the Philippine Red Cross for emergency family kits which include sleeping mats, mosquito nets and water containers, and another PHP43 million (A$1 million) to the World Food Programme for 1000 tonnes of rice. Australia will also make available PHP4 million (A$100,000) through the United Nations Population Fund for hygiene and health kits for people in evacuation centres.
The remaining PHP126 million (A$3 million) will be made available for additional recovery and relief needs.
Australia and the Philippines have strong bilateral ties, underpinned by over 50 years of partnership in development cooperation. Since 2005, Australia has provided more than PHP760 million in humanitarian and emergency aid to the Philippines. Australia’s total annual aid to the Philippines is approximately PHP5.5 billion – placing Australia among the top grant donors to the Philippines.
For more information about Australia’s work on humanitarian and disaster response in the Philippines, visit:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/countries/eastasia/philippines/Pages/humanitarian.aspx.