US rice assistance boosts relief efforts

CEBU, Philippines - The U.S. government has formally turned over yesterday 1,500 metric tons of rice as part of its continuing commitment to support the Philippine government’s post-Yolanda relief and reconstruction.

U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg handed over the rice assistance to their partners from the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development and the World Food Programme with whom they have collaborated closely in super typhoon Yolanda relief and recovery efforts since day one.

“This assistance signifies once again the commitment of the American people to partner with Filipinos in rebuilding the lives of so many affected by typhoon Yolanda,” said Goldberg in a statement.

The assistance is a part of the 5,000 metric tons of rice that was announced by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to Tacloban City last December 2013. The remainder of the rice assistance is expected to arrive in March.

Joining Goldberg for the handover were U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, DSWD-7 Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat and WFP Deputy Country Director Asaka Nyangara.

Steele said: “With the delivery of 5,000 metric tons of rice, the U.S. government will have donated a total of 8,400 metric tons of rice to typhoon Yolanda survivors. We are hopeful that this contribution will help put food on the table, and help prevent acute malnutrition, especially among children.”

To date, the U.S. government has provided a total of P3.9 billion ($87.7 million) in immediate humanitarian assistance for typhoon Yolanda survivors.

Of this assistance, food aid accounts to over P890 million ($20 million), helping millions of people most affected by the typhoon.

The U.S. government’s humanitarian assistance also includes the provision of emergency/transitional shelter, clean water, hygiene, education supplies, and livelihood programs, as well as protection for vulnerable populations such as women and children.

“The United States was one of the first donors to respond to WFP’s funding appeal, and the U.S. contribution alone covered more than a quarter of our overall operation reaching out to people affected by Yolanda,” said Nyangara.

He added that the U.S. donation allowed WFP to meet the diverse and changing needs of typhoon survivors from the first days of the response, when they needed to get nutritious food out quickly, until now as they support rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, the Kaabag sa Sugbo, an umbrella non-government network of 28-member organizations, held a discussion forum that aimed to mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation as a tool for development organizations.

Cathy Ruiz, network coordinator, said the activity was to actively empower and equip organizations as the country bounces back from major disaster last year.

“We want to frame member organizations and equip them of what is happening. These are the very people who have been at the forefront of the response,” Ruiz told reporters.

Ruiz further explained that a mapping of relief and rehabilitation efforts of member organizations is underway and they are hoping to present the comprehensive data next month at another forum.

The 28-member organizations active in responding to Bohol earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda include Pagtambayayong, Lihok Filipina, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated, among others.  (FREEMAN)