TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The Australian government has extended an additional AUD 10-million worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in aid of its continuing post- Yolandau relief and rehabilitation efforts, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced Sunday.
Bishop was in town to assess the damage caused by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in the area. She has met with the Australian medical team here as well as the Australian defense forces who are conducting clearing operations in Ormoc City.
“I thank the Australian health, defense, aid, consular, and other officials who have responded to the Philippine government’s requests, and the Australian public, who have given generously by donating more than $13-million dollars to aid agencies,” Bishop said in a press statement.
The additional AUD 10-million in humanitarian relief that Bishop announced brings Australia’s contribution to a total of AUD 40-million or approximately PHP 1,599,200,000. The assistance, coursed through various international aid agencies, is broken down as follows:
• AUD 3,000,000 to assist the United Nations Children’s Fund to provide clean water and sanitation, and to undertake urgent school rehabilitation;
• AUD 1,000,000 to the United Nations Population Fund for health and hygiene support, and supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating women;
• AUD 2,000,000 to assist the World Health Organization to continue to provide emergency health care, and to help restore the public health system, particularly in Tacloban;
• AUD 3,000,000 to Philippine non-government organizations to assist them to provide shelter and livelihood support to those affected by the calamity; and
• AUD 1,000,000 for transport, medical stores, and costs associated with the Australian field hospital in Tacloban.
After her activities here in Leyte, Bishop said she will meet with her Filipino counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and other Cabinet secretaries in Manila.
They will discuss the country’s recovery and reconstruction needs, as well as broaden bilateral and regional issues between the Philippines and Australia. By PCCO, Manila.