International community heeds UN call, provides P182M typhoon aid to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, 20 November 2020 -- The European Union and the governments of Sweden, Australia, United States, Germany, and New Zealand answered the call issued by the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian partners in the Philippines, and mobilized P182 million (US$3.8 million) to aid about 260,000 Filipinos that have been severely affected by recent typhoons, namely Super Typhoon Goni (local name: Rolly).

The Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO) has announced P74.5 million (US$1.54 million) aid. The Australian Government has provided P33 million (US$0.7 million) through the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines (FPOP). Sweden is providing P67.6 million (US$1.4 million) through Save the Children, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and Plan International. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Germany have coursed their assistance totaling P7.2 million (US$150,000) through existing projects with the UN Agency on Migration (IOM). Many governments are donating to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, including the Government of New Zealand that is providing a contribution of P7.2 million (US$150,000) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said, “With support from resource partners, the UN and humanitarian community translate international solidarity into concrete actions that combine emergency relief assistance and early recovery efforts to help people get back on their feet,” he said.

On 9 November, a Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) document amounting to US$45.5 million was launched by the UN and humanitarian partners to deliver assistance to typhoon-affected people requiring urgent humanitarian aid in 16 prioritized municipalities in Catanduanes and Albay provinces in support of the Government response. The HNP is being updated to reflect the impact of Typhoon Vamco (local name: Ulysses).

On behalf of the Philippine Government, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. expressed appreciation for this demonstration of solidarity with the Filipino people by the international community. “Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses have brought great suffering to Filipinos. We are a resilient country and we will get back on our feet as we always do, but the generosity of these countries will make our recovery that much faster,” Locsin said.

Gonzalez cited the support of the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, for fast-tracking a contribution to the relief efforts through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

CERF is one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches people caught up in crises. CERF’s Rapid Response window allows the UN to kick-start relief efforts immediately in a coordinated and prioritized response when a new crisis emerges. [End]

Notes to editors

• A snapshot of the humanitarian response to Typhoons Goni and Vamco by the UN and humanitarian partners in the Philippines is found here: https://bit.ly/38TRoGs

• The Humanitarian Needs and Priorities document (HNP) can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/36cHsoo

• Read more about the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): https://bit.ly/2UB9ZyH

For further details, please contact:

OCHA Bangkok: Pierre Peron, +66 614200 390, peronp@un.org;
UNIC Manila: Teresa Debuque +632-89022574, debuque@un.org