Top UN official to survey food aid operation in storm-battered Philippines

The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) begins a three-day visit to the Philippines tomorrow to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods that have affected more than seven million people.

The country was battered by tropical storm Ketsana (also known as Ondoy), which made landfall on 26 September, and then by typhoon Parma, which struck a week later. The storms led to more than 500 deaths and displaced scores of thousands of others, and caused crop damage estimated at over $160 million.

WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran will travel with President Gloria Arroyo, and the agency’s National Ambassador, KC Concepcion, to some of the worst-affected areas, according to a news release issued by the agency.

They will see how food assistance is being provided to families whose homes have been destroyed, or made uninhabitable by the flooding.

“WFP has a long history of providing food for the hungry in the Philippines, and when the floods hit people knew they could rely on our resources and expertise to get them food when they needed it,” Ms. Sheeran said.

As well as visiting the flood-affected areas, the Executive Director will meet senior Government officials, WFP staff, and representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups that have been involved in relief efforts.

The UN has appealed for $74 million to help one million people affected by the storms in the Philippines for the next six months. It has so far received $20 million.