Japan provides P663M in relief assistance to Odette-hit areas

Japan on Friday said it has prepared $13 million or P663 million in relief funds to help communities affected by Typhoon Odette late last year.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said the emergency grant aid, provided through multiple international organizations, would allow for the implementation of humanitarian assistance activities in areas such as food, shelter, non-food items, health, and water and sanitation, for the typhoon survivors.

“Being a friend closer than a brother, Japan is fully committed to supporting the Philippine Government and its people in this time of great need,” it added.

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has earlier provided emergency assistance packs, generators, sleeping mattresses, sleeping pads, and dome tents for those who were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the country.

The total reported deaths due to the typhoon has climbed further to 407, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

Almost a month after the typhoon’s onslaught in the Visayas and Mindanao, there are still 60,736 families or 229,424 individuals staying in 1,207 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, at least 2.2 million workers were directly affected by Odette, according to a rapid impact assessment conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). — VBL, GMA News