New Zealand gives P30-M aid to Phl

MANILA, Philippines - New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully announced yesterday that the country New Zealand is providing NZ$850,000 or approximately P30 million in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines following the recent disasters that hit Central Visayas and Mindanao.

“We are deeply sympathetic to the plight of people affected by these crises,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore.  “We hope that the assistance announced by Minister McCully will aid in the rapid recovery of the communities affected by the Bohol earthquake and flooding in Zamboanga.”

New Zealand’s assistance package will contribute $500,000 through UNICEF as one of the key implementing partners of the United Nations.

Another $100,000 has been allocated to draw on New Zealand technical expertise to help the Philippine government further assess the earthquake damage and prepare for reconstruction work.

Levermore said that New Zealand’s contribution was in response to the international appeal launched by the UN after a new assessment revealed that an estimated 370,000 people had been left living in temporary shelters after the 7.2 earthquake struck Central Visayas.

An additional $250,000 will be provided for water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for the residents of Zamboanga City affected by the recent flooding.

The New Zealand Aid Program supports disaster risk management and preparedness in the Philippines, including the development of early warning systems and hazard risk mapping.