WFP provides Phl with equipment for disaster response

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government received today logistics equipment from the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) for disaster preparedness response, a senior government official said.

The equipment, worth about $260,000, includes eight mobile storage units, a prefabricated office and over 1,500 pallets for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and 40 satellite phones for the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Solimam.

"WFP is one of our strategic partners. Their expertise in logistics is valuable in providing knowledge and assistance and in ensuring that the Philippines will be better prepared for future emergencies," she said.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which ravaged most parts of the country last  November, WFP, as co-lead of the Logistics Cluster, was able to transport more than 26,000 metric tons of relief items for the humanitarian community, including international agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as the government.  

WFP, together with DSWD, was also able to transport and distribute 39,000 metric tons of food assistance to people in need. Internet connectivity was also provided for over 6,000 users through the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, which is also led by the UN agency.

WFP is now moving from relief to recovery and livelihood programs in the Haiyan-devastated areas, with more than 3 million beneficiaries assisted through food assistance and cash transfers, Soliman said.