Australia provides further assistance to communities affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell today announced an additional Php403 million (A$10 million) to assist local governments and communities affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
“On behalf of the Australian Government and people, I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide a further contribution for recovery and reconstruction activities in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda” Ambassador Tweddell said.
Ambassador Tweddell announced the additional aid during a visit to Tacloban City with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.
Ambassador Tweddell acknowledged the commendable efforts of the Philippine Government in meeting the needs arising from this disaster, as well as the courage and resilience of the people affected. “However, when faced with devastation of this magnitude we all need a little help from our close friends,” Ambassador Tweddell said.
Ambassador Tweddell outlined the additional package of assistance, which includes:
- Php162 million (A$4 million) will help approximately 450,000 people affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda restore their livelihoods
- Php121 million (A$3 million) for construction of up to 75 classrooms and day care centres
- Php40 million (A$1 million) to help 336 communities in Leyte and Eastern Samar to build back better and be more disaster resilient through multi-hazard mapping, improved land use planning and building codes, and establishing early warning systems and emergency response teams
- Php40 million (A$1 million) to UN agencies to restock prepositioned supplies disbursed during the 2013 disasters, including dignity kits, rice and high energy biscuits
- Up to Php40 million (A$1 million) to bring in Australian technical experts to support the planning, implementation and coordination of recovery and reconstruction activities.
In addition, Australia will also provide Php808 million (A$20 million) to build up to 500 classrooms in Super Typhoon Yolanda affected areas, as part of the recently-announced BEST (Basic Education Sector Transformation) program.
In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, Australia immediately provided Php1.6 billion (A$40 million) in emergency relief. In addition, Australia provided significant logistics support and classroom rehabilitation provided from the Australian military. “This assistance demonstrates the depth of the friendship between our two countries,” Ambassador Tweddell said. “We will continue to coordinate our assistance with the Philippine Government and other actors to ensure that it is reaching those who need it most.”