Australia gives P17.5M for ‘Nona’ victims

THE AUSTRALIAN government would provide P17.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the Philippine government for families affected by Typhoon ‘Nona’ (international name: Melor), Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced yesterday.

In a statement, Bishop said the 500,000 Australian dollars assistance was in response to the Philippine government’s call for help.

Australia would provide tarpaulins for emergency shelter, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, water containers, hygiene kits, and sexual and reproductive health kits for women.

It would release prepositioned in-country stores to affected families in badly-hit areas through the United Nations Population Fund and the Philippine Red Cross.

Assistance to sexual and reproductive health services would be provided through partnership with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Nona forced some 743,000 people in 14 provinces to evacuate. The onslaught of the typhoon also killed 42 people and left 1.4 million with damaged or destroyed houses. Close to 300,000 people spent the holidays in evacuation centers and are at risk of a prolonged stay there.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell commiserated with the families adversely affected by Nona, which struck shortly before the Yuletide holidays.

“The Australian government and our people are concerned for families who sadly face difficult conditions over Christmas and New Year. We recognize and support the leadership of the government of the Philippines and the considerable resources it has provided in responding to the needs of those affected by Typhoon Nona. We hope that Australia’s assistance through prepositioned in-country stores with partners will help augment the government’s resources,” Tweddell said.