Government, UN appeal for $75-million assistance for RP flood victims

MANILA, Philippines - The national government and the United Nations (UN) jointly issued yesterday an appeal seeking nearly $75 million in international assistance to meet the urgent needs of one million people victimized by tropical storm Ondoy.

Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chair Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III joined UN representatives in airing the appeal at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

The event was a UN initiative to help calamity stricken member-states in responding to a sudden humanitarian crisis and coordinate local and foreign responses.

The other day this “flash appeal” was also launched at UN headquarters in Geneva where various member-states pledged their support.

In the 2006, the UN and the Philippine government joined hands in seeking foreign assistance to address the humanitarian and rehabilitation concerns caused by typhoons “Milenyo,” “Reming” and “Senyang.”

Local and international non-government organizations as well as foreign diplomats and representatives from the World Bank were present at yesterday’s event and have pledged support to the government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts.

“Time is of the essence for all us to help the one million people whose lives have been shattered by Ketsana (international name of Ondoy),” said Ann Veneman, executive director of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

While lauding the government’s quick disaster response, she said that these efforts were not enough because of the magnitude of the disaster.

One foreign observer noted that the US government’s response time during the onslaught of hurricane Katrina in 2005 was two days while Philippine authorities responded in several hours after the onset of the flooding.

Veneman pointed out that families have lost their loved ones as well as their homes and livelihoods in many flood-stricken areas of Metro Manila and outlying provinces.

“Children have also been severely traumatized by the effects of the storms and getting them back into their daily routines is critical,” she said.

She added that the appeal seeks to generate funds in key sectors including food, shelter, water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency communications and logistics.

Veneman emphasized that part of the funds that would be generated would also cover child protection, coordination and camp management as well as address time-critical agricultural and early recovery programs.

The UN approved last Friday an initial funding request of $7 million to bankroll ongoing humanitarian and disaster operations of the world body in the country. The money came from the UN internal fund.

UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Jacqui Badcock noted that while some semblance of normalcy has returned in Metro Manila, over a million people continue to suffer and are still in need of humanitarian assistance.

“A major response from the international donor community is now absolutely essential if the current operation is to be scaled to meet the needs on the ground,” Badcock said.

Teodoro, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support that the government is receiving from UN-member states as well as those coming from local and non-governmental organizations.

The Czech Republic has provided 100,00 Euros which will be placed at the disposal of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, through Ambassador to Manila Rod Smith, announced last Saturday a further A$2 million (P80 million) for supplemental food rations for typhoon victims, including high-energy biscuits for children under five, to be coursed through the World Food Program. This is on top of the A$1 million earlier provided by the Australian government, which has also sent in technical experts to provide logistical and communications support.

Brazilian Ambassador Alcides Prates, on behalf of his government, also pledged the equivalent of $70,000 (P3.3 million) during yesterday’s flash appeal intended for food, medicine and shelter for typhoon victims.

Teodoro said the enormous support that the government is getting for its ongoing relief operations would facilitate rehabilitation in food-stricken areas.

Yap, on the other hand, said that the country is not facing imminent danger of hunger even if soon-to-be harvested crops were destroyed.

However, he said the effect of Ondoy has a direct impact on farmers who have lost approximately P25,000 per hectare.

“Supplies of food in evacuation centers are still okay but in the long haul what is important is sanitation and also the welfare of the children ” Cabral said.                                           – With Pia Lee Brago