Australia standing with the Philippines

It is a month since Typhoon Yolanda caused a trail of destruction through the Visayas. Thousands of people died, more than four million have been left homeless, and more than 14 million people felt Yolanda’s fury.

As a dear friend of the Philippines, it was important that Australia responded quickly to this disaster. Even before the typhoon made landfall, Australia sent disaster experts to the Philippines. Immediately after the typhoon passed, Australia released P15 million in emergency relief supplies such as blankets, buckets, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, water containers and health and hygiene kits.

As the extent of the damage became clear, Australia committed P1.1 billion to meet critical needs, including food, clean water, medical care, shelter and logistical support. We established a field hospital in Tacloban, which has already treated over 3,100 patients and performed over 225 surgeries. This is roughly equivalent to the output of an average surgical ward in an Australian hospital, which is remarkable given the field hospital is located in a tent beside an airport.

The Australian Defence Force deployed three aircraft and the heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk to carry some 500 military personnel and 800 tonnes of equipment and supplies. The Royal Australian Air Force planes have evacuated thousands of survivors, while our Navy personnel are delivering aid to remote areas and helping to get roads cleared and schools open.

Part of our P1.1 billion commitment is a contribution to the United Nations Flash Appeal and to non-government organisations to enable them to provide food, shelter, clean water and sanitation.

There has been no major disease outbreak in the affected area, and I am proud our assistance through the World Health Organization has played a part in that.

This is my first visit to the Philippines as Australian Foreign Minister, and today I will travel to Tacloban and Ormoc to witness the destruction first hand and hear how Australia can continue to play an important part in the recovery and reconstruction effort.

In addition to Government assistance, the Australian people have donated almost P395 million to help victims of the typhoon. In October Australia helped the Philippines respond to an earthquake in Bohol and to conflict in Zamboanga. This cooperation is testament to the close relationship that Australia and the Philippines share.

Our relationship is of course broader than responding to disasters.

Our countries share similar values and interests. We are steadfastly committed to democracy, and determined to work for peace, stability and economic growth.

Last year Australia provided P5.4 billion in development assistance to improve basic education and other services, and boosting disaster preparedness mechanisms.

The economy of the Philippines has made impressive gains in recent years, and even despite the forecast that Yolanda could impact GDP growth by as much as one percent, the Philippines look set to be part of a new wave of emerging economies, fueled by a skilled and competitive workforce.

Two-way trade is valued at P135 trillion and there is potential to grow our already significant trade and investment ties. I look forward to making our education, migration, and tourism links even stronger when I visit Manila next year for the Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting.

But for now, it is time to stand in solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

We already know that recovery will be measured not in months but in years. As a friend, Australia will continue to stand by the Philippines on the long process of recovery.