The Government has announced an additional €1.6 million in aid to victims of Typhoon Haiyan, bringing the total funds committed by Ireland to more than €3million. The funding will be channelled through trusted NGO partners and will support the provision of shelter, food, water and health services to the 13 million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. This funding is in addition to:
-
€1million funding announced on 11 November by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D.
-
€500,000 worth of emergency supplies airlifted on 13 November to the Philippines that are currently being distributed to victims of the typhoon
Two members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps have also deployed to the Philippines to assist UN relief teams there. Further deployments and additional airlifts are anticipated.
Announcing the additional funding, Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello T.D., said:
‘Ireland acted quickly to respond to Typhoon Haiyan, but as the magnitude of this disaster has become clear, it is all too apparent that further assistance is required. The situation is critical. Immediate threats to life include lack of safe drinking water, lack of shelter, trauma injuries, lack of sufficient food, lack of access to sanitation and personal hygiene. Our aid is being targeted directly to address these urgent needs.'
Minister Costello also stressed the importance of improved coordination amongst donors to ensure that the aid which has already been delivered reaches the most needy as quickly as possible:
'The international community has learned many lessons from previous crises, such as the 2004 Tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Ireland has supported subsequent efforts by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to establish clear systems to allow the most effective, efficient and rapid delivery of aid possible. Ireland will continue to make every effort to ensure our response is timely and effective, and meets the most critical, immediate needs.'