Carl O’Brien
The Government is to provide €1 million in emergency relief aid for the Philippines following a typhoon which is fears to have killed as many as 10,000 people.
Funding is being made available through trusted Irish non-governmental organisation and will go towards shelter, food, water and health.
Tents, blankets and other basic necessities, will be made available by Irish Aid and distributed in the Philippines through Plan Ireland, an Irish charity with a long history of work in the country.
Irish Aid’s rapid response corps - a team of skilled a professionals experienced in responding to humanitarian emergencies - is also on stand-by to assist UN agencies operating on the ground.
In a statement, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said Ireland had strong bonds with the Filipino people through our missionaries and through the many Filipinos working in our hospitals and elsewhere in Ireland.
“My thoughts are with the families of those who have perished, and indeed with those waiting to hear of news from their loved ones. This funding and the emergency supplies will go towards those most at risk, as the crisis moves to the recovery stage.’
More than four million people are now thought to be caught up in the aftermath of the devastating Philippines storm. Reports suggest that as many as 10,000 are feared dead.
Irish aid agencies on the ground - including the Irish Red Cross, Trócaire and Plan Ireland - have appealed for donations from the public to assist in the recovery effort.
David Dalton, Plan Ireland's chief executive, said staff from the charity have now arrived in affected areas and are assisting survivors.
“Extra emergency response teams are also flying in today from around the world to assist so that we can quickly deliver aid to those who need it most. But we urgently need donations to help with this massive relief effort,” he said.
“Plan has been working in the Philippines since 1961 so we are extremely familiar with the country and how best to get aid to those who need it most.”
Earlier today, the European Union announced it will commit €3 million for emergency relief in the worst affected areas.
The US has also reportedly set aside $100,000 for relief supplies and sent some 80 marines to Manila in order to help the Philippines army with logistics.
