Government of Philippines requests aid after disaster

(New York: 22 December 2003): Following flooding, landslides, and a tornado in the central part of the Philippines, the Government of the Philippines has requested international assistance. Medicines, food including canned goods and other food, toiletries, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and blankets are the most needed items.
OCHA is providing an emergency grant of USD 50,000 for local purchase and transportation of relief items.

As of today, the government says that 97,467 persons have been affected in the eight provinces of Bohol, Southern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Surigao de Norte. Over 9,500 people are in 15 evacuation centers established in the area. The government puts the number of dead at 94, the injured at 50, and the missing at 93. Bridges, roads and seawalls, as well as agriculture and fishing have been damaged.

Damage and needs assessments in the disaster-stricken area are ongoing. However, bad weather is hampering this work.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY, 917 367 5126, mobile 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, 41 22 917 2653, mobile 41(0) 79 472 4570.