Emergency Relief for Typhoon Haiyan

Irish Aid funding will support relief efforts and emergency services such as shelter, food, water and health for 12.9 million people affected by the tropical storm.

Following the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the Tánaiste has announced an additional €1.6 million in aid, bringing the total  funds committed by Ireland to more than €3 million. This funding will support relief efforts and emergency services such as emergency shelter, food, water and health for the 13 million people who have been affected by the tropical storm.

This funding is in addition to €1 million funding announced on 11 November and €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.

200 tarpaulins, 85 family tents, 10,000 blankets and other basic food and hygiene necessities have been made available from Irish Aid stocks.

The funding will be channelled through Irish Aid’s partner NGOs in addition to tents, blankets and other basic necessities which have been distributed from Irish Aid’s emergency stock, pre-positioned in Dubai, through NGO partner Plan Ireland.

Needs assessment surveys being carried out by the UN, Red Cross and other NGOs will identify the most affected areas and funding to these areas will distributed accordingly.

Speaking of Ireland’s strong bonds with the Filipino people, An Tánaiste expressed his thoughts for the families of those who have perished and for those who are waiting to hear news of their loved ones.

The UN Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UN OCHA), who receives substantial funding from Irish Aid, is already operating in the affected areas. The UN Central Emergency Relief Fund that is also supported by Irish Aid will announce their crisis response funding in the coming days.

 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.'

*Updated 18th November 2013