New York, Oct 6 2009 12:10PM
The United Nations today launched an appeal for $74 million to help 1 million flood-stricken people in the Philippines – which has been hit by massive back-to-back storms – for the next six months.
At least 300 people were killed when Tropical Storm Ketsana (also known as Ondoy) slammed into the South-East Asian nation last week, displacing hundreds of thousands.
The devastation wrought by that deadly storm was amplified by Typhoon Parma, which made landfall in recent days, affecting 70,000 people. That storm struck an area focused on agriculture, resulting in a nearly $120 million loss in crops. Pre-emptively, 35,000 people were evacuated, but the number of people sheltering camps is expected to rise to 100,000.
Elizabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA), told reporters in Geneva that it is still too early to determine the total number of people who have lost their homes and are in need of aid.
Some 400,000 people are living in emergency shelters around the hard-hit capital, Manila, with many expected to return to their homes once the water has receded.
The UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/">WFP) is asking for $26 million as part of the larger $74 million appeal to fund its three-month emergency operation, already under way, to support the Government's efforts by providing rice, beans and other food in the worst-hit areas of Manila and surrounding areas. The agency is also giving logistical support to allow humanitarian agencies to access remote areas.
WFP said today that it is also rushing helicopters and inflatable boats to reach flood victims in remote areas with humanitarian aid.
"Many needy people live in areas that still remain inaccessible because of the widespread flooding," said Stephen Anderson, the agency's Country Director in the Philippines.
Seven boats, the first of 30 requested by the Government, arrived today in Manila, while two of three helicopters, also asked for by authorities, are set to land in the country tomorrow.
Without these boats and helicopters, Mr. Anderson said, "the massive Government-led relief effort would not be able to reach people who are really desperate, sometimes neck-deep in water."
For its part, the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) has identified access to drinking water as the major concern in the wake of the devastating storms, with some parts of the country having been flooded with stagnant water now for many days.
Additionally, some evacuation centres are filled beyond their capacity, raising concern over possible health risks, with cases of diarrhoea and skin diseases already being reported.
UNICEF, which is asking for nearly $13 million from the wider appeal launched today, has already distributed hundreds of hygiene kids, and its Executive Director Ann Veneman is set to visit Manila tomorrow to assess the situation first-hand.
Appealing for $7 million today was the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO), which reported that it is sending medical supplies since nearly two dozen hospitals and health centres have been damaged by flooding.
Oct 6 2009 12:10PM
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