US gov’t boosts response for ‘Pablo’ victims

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 18): US gov’t boosts response for ‘Pablo’ victims

The government of United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has allocated an additional $ 4 million (P164 million) to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to further boost the Philippine government’s typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha) response.

The additional funding allocation brings the total U.S. Government commitment to the Pablo humanitarian response to $ 12.4 million (P508.4 million), according to a statement released Friday by the U.S. Embassy. This latest contribution, given through the Emergency Food Security Program of USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, enabled WFP to purchase 3,400,000 kilograms (3,400 metric tons) of rice enough to feed 170,000 people for two months, as well as to roll out cash-for-work activities.

USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Executive Director Janet Lopoz, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Priscilla Razon, and WFP Country Director Stephen Anderson led Friday the handover of an initial 1,750,000 kilograms (1,750 metric tons) of rice at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Depot in Barangay Panacan, Davao City. The balance of the contribution is expected to be handed over in February.

“This additional support will help thousands of affected Mindanaoans recover from the impact of the disaster and enable them to rebuild their lives,” Steele said in a statement Friday. The US assistance will complement DSWD and WFP early recovery activities for affected communities through the cash-for-work (CFW) program, which will be rolled out in areas where local markets are functioning properly. CFW is aimed to address immediate food security needs, while also stimulating the local economy in affected areas by giving communities the ability to purchase food items of their choice from the market.

“WFP warmly welcomes this timely and generous cash donation from the U.S. Government, which will greatly boost our ability to flexibly support the Government of the Philippines in this enormous task of helping families and communities severely affected by Typhoon Bopha,” Anderson said. This latest rice contribution from USAID is in addition to 2,100,000 kilograms (2,100 metric tons) of rice valued over $ 2.5 million (P106.6 million), which U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. announced last December 21.

“We are pleased to support the families and communities in typhoon-affected areas who are trying to return to their normal lives. We will continue to work closely with the Philippine Government to respond to their needs,” U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Brian L. Goldbeck noted.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=488679