Australia boosts Typhoon Haiyan assistance

Media release:

8 December 2013

Today I visited affected areas in the Philippines to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan. I met the Australian medical team in Tacloban and ADF personnel working on relief and recovery efforts in Ormoc and surrounding areas. I announced an additional $10 million to Australia's humanitarian response in the Philippines.

Almost 15 million people have been affected, and more than four million people are homeless. Those who survived the typhoon remain in desperate need of clean water, shelter and health care.

I thank the Australian health, defence, aid, consular and other officials who have responded to the Philippines Government's requests, and the Australian public, who have given generously by donating more than $13 million dollars to aid agencies.

The additional $10 million in humanitarian relief brings Australia's total contribution to $40 million and includes:

  • $3 million to assist the United Nations Children's Fund to provide clean water and sanitation, and to undertake urgent school rehabilitation;
  • $1 million to the United Nations Population Fund for health and hygiene support and supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating women;
  • $2 million to assist the World Health Organisation to continue to provide emergency health care, and to help restore the public health system, particularly in Tacloban;
  • $3 million to Filipino non-government organisations to assist them provide shelter and livelihoods support to those affected by this devastating event; and
  • $1 million for transport, medical stores and costs associated with the Australian field hospital in Tacloban.

In Manila, I will be meeting with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and other Cabinet members to discuss the Philippines' recovery and reconstruction needs, as well as broader bilateral and regional issues.

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