$39M for ‘Sendong’ victims sought

THE United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners on Friday issued the second emergency revision of the Humanitarian Action Plan for Mindanao, as hundreds of thousands of people in the southern Philippines are in dire need of help one month after devastating floods, but a global appeal for aid has fallen well short of its target.

The revised appeal seeks $39 million funding to continue providing vital assistance to more than 300,000 people over the period of six months, according to United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines, Jacqui Badcock.

The amount represents a $10.6 million increase from the $ 28.4 million requested initially.

Almost 48, 000 houses had been damaged and livelihoods of as many as 625, 000 people were affected.

Under the plan, the humanitarian community prioritized provi- sion of assistance to all affected, including the displaced in evacuation centers and transitional sites as well as people living in makeshift shelters or with relatives.

Badcock said more than 550,000 people were forced out of their homes seven weeks after the disaster, and some 21, 900 survivors remain at the evacuation centers in two cities, while more than 400,000 were living in makeshift shelters or with relatives.

She said a second “flash appeal” issued immediately after the $28 million is insufficient and adding more “sustained, generous financial support crucial to enable provision of basic goods and services and the rebuilding of resilient communities.”

“Many lives have been saved through our interventions to date. But, unless this assistance is sustained and adequate shelter solutions are provided to all the displaced, many will vulnerable and unable to sustain themselves and their families,” said Badcock.

The UN official likewise urged donors to “back the new response plan and the affected communities of Mindanao generously.”