UN agency allocates $25m for typhoon-hit Philippines

UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, Monday announced the allocation of USD 25 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support life-saving relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of the destruction wrought by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). "This devastating typhoon has affected millions of families in the Philippines. People have lost their homes and loved ones, and desperately need food, water and urgent medical help," said Amos, also Emergency Relief Coordinator. "I am releasing USD 25 million from CERF to help humanitarian agencies and their partners reach as many people as possible with life-saving aid supplies and services." The Filipino Government estimates that 9.8 million people have been affected, with almost 660,000 displaced from their homes in nine provinces. Local officials estimate that some 10,000 people were killed in one city alone, and the overall number is expected to increase as aid workers reach more affected communities. UN agencies and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will use CERF funding to provide emergency food assistance, supply emergency shelter materials and household items, assist with the provision of emergency health services, safe water supplies and sanitation facilities for the most vulnerable. The funding will also be used for critical protection, nutrition and emergency activities, camp coordination and management, and logistics to enable a coordinated rapid relief response. "UN agencies and humanitarian partners are working hard to support the Government and local authorities in their efforts to help people. We have deployed specialist teams, vital logistics support and dispatched critical supplies - but we have to do more and faster," said Amos