Australia will donate $5 million in emergency aid to the Philippines to aid in the recovery from the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Rai, also known as Typhoon Odette in the Philippines.
According to the Philippines government, the typhoon has impacted up to 2.6 million people, with thousands of people staying in evacuation centres and many more still without access to fresh food, water, power, or essential amenities.
In order to respond to this calamity, Australia will continue to work with the Philippine government and humanitarian organisations.
Our support will consist of the following:
- Provides funds for the Philippines Red Cross and the United Nations Population Fund to distribute relief materials (such as sleeping bags, shelter, water, and hygiene kits) as well as crucial child and maternal health services (including sexual and reproductive health kits)
- funds for the World Food Programme, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Organization for Migration to provide vital transportation and communications support to the Philippine government in order to distribute relief materials
- funding for Australian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) already working in the Philippines to provide emergency lifesaving aid (including food, non-food items, shelter, water, and hygiene kits), as well as protection and livelihood recovery operations.
- support for local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to respond to the needs of particularly vulnerable groups in distant places.
I’d want to express Australia’s sympathies and heartfelt thoughts to the Filipino families who have lost loved ones or whose lives have been impacted by the calamity.
Australia and the Philippines have a long history of mateship and bayanihan, with 2021 marking our 75th year of diplomatic relations.
During this terrible time, Australia stands steadfast in its commitment to assist the Philippines.
