UN agency widens assistance to flood survivors in Philippines

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is expanding its relief operation to help hundreds of thousands of flood victims in the Philippines who are trying to cope with the effects of last week’s devastating typhoon.

An estimated 2.5 million people have been affected by the deadly storm, more than half of whom have been made homeless.

“This is a catastrophe for the people of the Philippines and our hearts go out to them,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

The Government has launched a massive relief operation and asked for international assistance. WFP is helping authorities to ensure that those in need are receiving food and other essential supplies.

Meanwhile, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes today voiced extreme concern over the arrival within the next 48 hours of another category 4 typhoon in the areas of the Philippines affected by the first typhoon, known as Ondoy.

About 8.5 million people lie in the path of the next storm, with 1.8 million of them in areas where winds are projected to reach hurricane strength. Sustained aid will be needed, especially food as large tracts of agricultural land have been ruined, Mr. Holmes – who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs – told a news briefing in New York.

UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer cited the disaster as underscoring the urgency for progress in climate change talks now underway in Bangkok. “Climate change will only increase the magnitude and frequency of weather related disasters,” she said.

WFP said today that it aims to reach 1 million people with food aid this month. It is beginning to distribute almost 750 metric tonnes of rice in the worst-hit areas, including the capital, Manila.

It is also deploying helicopters and boats to allow both the Government and humanitarian agencies to carry out their life-saving activities in hard-to-reach areas and hand out supplies.

The helicopters are also intended to relocate vulnerable people in low-lying areas, as well as to carry out assessments of damage to infrastructure.

The UN will coordinate a flash appeal which will be launched tomorrow, and Ms. Sheeran voiced hope that donors will assist WFP and other groups in supporting the Government’s relief efforts.

Earlier this week, a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team found that poor drainage systems and garbage disposal problems aggravated the impact of Typhoon Ondoy, known internationally as Ketsana, stressing the need for governments to make greater investments before other catastrophes strike.