NZ gives further aid to Philippines

21 December 2012

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced today that New Zealand will be making an additional NZ$1.5 million available to support the relief and recovery process for communities affected by Typhoon Pablo in the Philippines.

“The New Zealand Government extends its deep sympathies to the Filipino people for the loss of lives and extensive damage brought by Typhoon Pablo.  We hope that our contribution will aid in the rapid recovery and rehabilitation of Filipino communities”, said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore.

“We commend the Philippine Government in its efforts to warn and evacuate people ahead of the typhoon making landfall.  Unfortunately, Typhoon Pablo proved to be very strong and left over a thousand people dead and affected millions of Filipinos in the south,” added Ambassador Levermore.

New Zealand previously provided $500,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross for essential relief items such as food, water and shelter in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Pablo. New Zealand’s additional contribution announced today includes NZ$1 million to support UNICEF in ensuring access to safe water and sanitation facilities, and NZ$500,000 towards New Zealand non-government organisations supporting local organisations to engage in early recovery programmes in the Philippines.