UN shifts action plan for ‘Sendong’ victims, appeals for $39-M funding
The United Nations-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Thursday launched a revised appeal for $39 million, or over P1.6 billion, to extend relief efforts for victims of Tropical Storm Sendong.
The victims will benefit from the relief efforts for three more months or until mid-June 2012, the OCHA said during a presentation to potential donors and the media in Makati City.
Currently, 25 percent or $9.6 million or P400 million of the revised appeal has been funded.
In the revised UN Humanitarian Action Plan on Tropical Storm Sendong, the UN-OCHA noted that emergency shelter will get $9.1 million of the existing fund.
Food, water, sanitation and hygiene, and Protection of vulnerable groups, and health are also listed as priorities by the agency.
While the basic needs of evacuees took priority immediately after the disaster, relief operations will now equally focus on “the safe, voluntary, and informed return and relocation of the displaced people,” UN humanitarian coordinator Jacqui Badcock said at a press briefing Friday
“The government has recognized that providing shelter solutions to those who lost their homes is the greatest challenge and the top priority,” she added.
Last December, the coordinating body requested $28.4 million or P1.2 billion from donors.
Since the UN launched its first plan of action in December, relief has reached some 431,200 people, Badcock noted.
“In the first critical days, evacuation centers sheltered as many as 69,300 individuals. Basic household and protection goods were provided to 54,800 people... more than 230,000 people, inside and outside such sites, also benefited from general food distribution program,” she said.
Despite the financial crisis affecting potential US and European donors, the UN official remains optimistic about generating funds.
“We wouldn’t ask for the $39 million if we didn’t need it. We will do all possible strategies to mobilize these funds. We do believe that current contributions on the pipeline will bring us to at least halfway,” said stressed.
“It will take time to get everyone to where they want and should be. Our support must be sustained, and we need your help to do that,” she added, appealing to the state representatives and international organizations present at the launch. — VS, GMA News
The victims will benefit from the relief efforts for three more months or until mid-June 2012, the OCHA said during a presentation to potential donors and the media in Makati City.
Currently, 25 percent or $9.6 million or P400 million of the revised appeal has been funded.
In the revised UN Humanitarian Action Plan on Tropical Storm Sendong, the UN-OCHA noted that emergency shelter will get $9.1 million of the existing fund.
Food, water, sanitation and hygiene, and Protection of vulnerable groups, and health are also listed as priorities by the agency.
While the basic needs of evacuees took priority immediately after the disaster, relief operations will now equally focus on “the safe, voluntary, and informed return and relocation of the displaced people,” UN humanitarian coordinator Jacqui Badcock said at a press briefing Friday
“The government has recognized that providing shelter solutions to those who lost their homes is the greatest challenge and the top priority,” she added.
Last December, the coordinating body requested $28.4 million or P1.2 billion from donors.
Since the UN launched its first plan of action in December, relief has reached some 431,200 people, Badcock noted.
“In the first critical days, evacuation centers sheltered as many as 69,300 individuals. Basic household and protection goods were provided to 54,800 people... more than 230,000 people, inside and outside such sites, also benefited from general food distribution program,” she said.
Despite the financial crisis affecting potential US and European donors, the UN official remains optimistic about generating funds.
“We wouldn’t ask for the $39 million if we didn’t need it. We will do all possible strategies to mobilize these funds. We do believe that current contributions on the pipeline will bring us to at least halfway,” said stressed.
“It will take time to get everyone to where they want and should be. Our support must be sustained, and we need your help to do that,” she added, appealing to the state representatives and international organizations present at the launch. — VS, GMA News
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