Australia gives more tents to Yolanda survivors

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government has donated more tents for the families who have been rendered homeless by supertyphoon Yolanda in eastern Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on Monday.

The DSWD said the Royal Australian Air Force airlifted from Mactan Airbase in Cebu over the weekend an initial 1,000 tents for Yolanda victims in Tacloban City and Ormoc City in Leyte, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Each tent has a floor area of 16 square meters and can accommodate a family with eight to 10 members.

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell earlier handed over the tents to the DSWD.

"Food, water, and the health of people affected by typhoon Yolanda remain as pressing priorities, but it is also important to focus on providing them temporary shelter," Tweddell said.

For her part, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman thanked the Australian government for its continuing assistance to families affected by the typhoon.

"Aside from the monetary aid that they already have provided, the Australian government is also providing other much needed assistance in the relief operations. We thank them for being always ready to lend a hand to the Filipino people," Soliman said.

The DSWD said the Royal Australian Air Force has also agreed to transport the 1,300 tents donated by the People’s Republic of China.