New Zealand contributes to relief for victims of Typhoon Washi

New Zealand is contributing NZ$500,000 (about 17 million pesos) to support emergency relief in response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Sendong (international name Washi).

The New Zealand Government will contribute NZ$500,000 to the relief efforts of the Philippine Red Cross, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced yesterday.
 
The Philippine Red Cross is providing urgent humanitarian assistance to people affected by Typhoon Washi.  Typhoon Washi struck the Mindanao region in southern Philippines in mid December, killing more than 1000 people and displacing 285,000. Estimates suggest 470,000 people have been affected.
 
The money will be used by the Red Cross to provide food, blankets, water and sanitation, shelter and livelihood assistance to 25,000 people in the worst affected areas.