Disaster risk reduction gets Australian boost

MANILA, Philippines - Australia will provide an additional P32-million assistance to the Philippines for disaster risk reduction, the Australian embassy said.

As part of the assistance, Geoscience Australia will work with the National Disaster Coordinating Council and other technical agencies to implement a range of projects and activities over the next three years to strengthen natural hazard risk assessment efforts.

“As a regional neighbor and key development partner, Australia is helping improve the Philippines’ capacity to manage natural hazards and respond to emergencies. Both our governments recognize the need for coordinated action in disaster risk management in the Philippines,” Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said.

“Natural disasters have a huge impact on development, causing loss of life, displacement of families and major damage to agricultural crops and infrastructure,” he added.

Smith said Geoscience Australia, for instance, will help enhance the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System developed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.     – Pia Lee-Brago