The Australian Government is providing urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines following Typhoon Rammasun, known locally as ‘Glenda’.
Australia again stands with the Philippines, our close friend and partner, at this difficult time and extend our sympathy to those affected by this natural disaster.
Typhoon Rammasun struck the Philippines on 15 July, just eight months after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the country in November 2013.
While the full scale of the disaster is still being assessed, reports suggest that more than 450,000 people have been affected by Typhoon Rammasun.
To help meet the urgent humanitarian needs of thousands of families, Australia has released emergency relief supplies. These include family survival kits containing sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets and emergency shelters delivered to over 1400 families through the Philippines Red Cross, as well as health and dignity kits for 2000 women through the United Nations Population Fund.
Through our aid program, Australia continues to support communities in the Philippines to better prepare for, cope with, and respond to natural disasters. Support includes multi-hazard and risk mapping, updates to land use planning and building codes, and the establishment of early warning systems and emergency management teams in high-risk areas, and providing six Australian Civilian Corps experts to support recovery following Typhoon Haiyan.
Australia provided over $41 million in immediate humanitarian assistance following Typhoon Haiyan, and is spending a further $36 million on longer term recovery efforts.