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UN launches $300 million appeal for storm- ravaged Philippines
13.11.2013 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
The United Nations has appealed for $301 million to provide humanitarian assistance to typhoon hit regions of the Philippines, UN Radio reports.
Nearly 11 million people have been affected by the storm which has also displaced about 700,000 people.
UN agencies in the affected regions says urgent supplies of food, clean water, shelter and medicines are needed.
UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says transport logistics remains the biggest challenge due to the widespread destruction to infrastructure and the large amount of debris blocking roads and other access routes.
Jens Laerke is OCHA’s spokesperson in Geneva.
«The appeal of $301 million covers an initial period of 6 months. The humanitarian community continues to scale up its operations to provide lifesaving aid. Many areas do remain inaccessible, we are reaching into them little by little. Priority needs are health, its in food, medicines, clean water, sanitation and shelter. We have in the appeal what we call communications with the affected communities. Its interagency and it is trying to get lifesaving information to the survivors. We are looking also for funding for deployment of emergency radio in a box because mass media in the areas is simply not functioning. We are also planning to distribute at least 1,000 wind up radios. We do consider communication is aid,» Mr. Laerke says.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it will need $83 million to provide food for an estimated 2.5 million people, while the United Nations Childrens Fund UNICEF appeal is for $34 million.
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