MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
An additional $500,000 to help victims of severe typhoons in the Philippines was announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Bruce Billson.
'The funds are Australia's response to separate appeals by the United Nations and the Philippines Red Cross for continuing emergency rehabilitation work,' Mr Billson said.
'Last month, a series of four typhoons, of which Typhoon Winnie was the most serious, caused a major disaster that claimed more than 1000 lives and destroyed some 40,000 homes.
'More than 3,000,000 people were affected in provinces east of the capital, Manila, and the Philippines Government puts damage to agriculture and infrastructure at 5.1 billion pesos (about $119 million).'
Mr Billson said the contribution was in addition to $500,000 for emergency humanitarian relief announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer on 3 December.
'It will be used by UNICEF ($400,000) and the Philippines Red Cross ($100,000) to provide emergency shelter and restore schools, clinics and other public buildings.
'Most importantly, the work will enable thousands of children to resume school,' Mr Billson said.
Worldwide, funding by Australia for humanitarian and emergency programs during 2004-05 is budgeted to increase by $13.7 million to about $131 million.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590