NextGen Day

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has expressed gratitude to the international world for its humanitarian assistance in aiding the recovery of Filipino communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

Manila would continue to collaborate with the UN and its humanitarian country team to ramp up response efforts in the affected areas, according to the senior diplomat.

In his opening remarks at a virtual briefing on the humanitarian situation in the Philippines on February 2, he said, “The Philippine government will ensure that all of our efforts, including those of UN agencies, bilateral and international partners, CSOs (civil society organizations), and the private sector, all converge to achieve the common goal of recovery and healing.”

Last December 16, a typhoon hit the Philippines, killing 409 people and causing USD669 million (about PHP34 billion) in damage to homes, farmland, and infrastructure.

In Mimaropa, Regions 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), 12 (Soccsksargen), 13 (Caraga), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, over 300,000 people were displaced.

According to Locsin, the government has provided USD24 million (about PHP1.22 billion) in assistance to affected families, with over PHP45 million coming from non-government groups and other partners.

“More government resources are on standby, including over 300,000 family food packets worth USD4.6 million (approximately PHP235 million), non-food products worth USD 12 million (approximately PHP612 million), and USD39 million (about PHP1.99 billion) in reserve financing,” he said.

International donors have so far given the Philippines around USD79 million (PHP4 billion) in monetary gifts.

Manila has formally accepted 18 of the 49 relief packages offered in various forms, including the HNP response, which has provided in-country support to 11 regions and 31 provinces.

“The HNP-led response is concentrated, and it complements the government’s efforts nicely. The HNP has raised USD48.1 million (PHP2.4 billion) in just over a month, accounting for 29 percent of its new target “, “Locsin explained.

The HNP plan, which was launched by the UN Philippines on December 24, requests USD107.2 million (PHP5.5 billion) over the next six months to cover the most urgent humanitarian needs of typhoon-affected communities.

Based on preliminary assessment findings, the strategy was created to jump-start immediate life-saving and protection operations, with a focus on women, girls, and people with disabilities.

Locsin said several of its Response Clusters are already downscaling their operations now that the country is in more stable conditions.

Others, he underlined, must be maintained, including camp administration and coordination, health, shelter, logistics, and cash aid distribution.

“Based on these determined needs, we will continue to receive help,” he said.

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