PH, partners need $48M more for Pablo-hit areas

UNITED Nations humanitarian coordinator Luiza Carvalho and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman launched on Friday the "Revised Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Response-An Action Plan for Recovery."

The revised action plan seeks US$76 million to help families affected by Typhoon Pablo, which caused massive destruction to houses, public infrastructure and agricultural lands.

The amount represents a 17-percent increase from the $65 million requested on December 10 at the onset of the disaster.

To date, $27 million has been contributed towards the appeal, leaving a funding gap of $48 million.

Carvalho said: "Typhoon Bablo was the most deadly storm globally in 2012, and reportedly the most powerful storm to hit southern Mindanao in more than 100 years."

More than one month after Pablo made landfall as a Category Five Super Typhoon, over 6.2 million people have been affected and close to 850,000 remain displaced.

More than 210,000 houses, vital public infrastructure and vast areas of agricultural land has been severely damaged or destroyed.

More than 1,060 lives were lost, and over 800 others are still missing. The need for support in the coming months is critical.

Soliman said the importance of implementing disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities at the community level. She also expressed her thanks to the international community on behalf of the Filipino people.

"The Philippine government welcomes the solidarity of the global community through the support given in the Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Action Plan."

Carvalho also thanked donors for their generous support, but stressed that, "the funding and resources we have at present are not commensurate with the needs that we must meet."

The revised response plan outlines how the humanitarian community, in support of government response efforts, will continue to provide life-saving assistance and recovery support to more than 920,000 people in Mindanao, over the coming six months.

Major humanitarian needs include shelter, early recovery and livelihoods, food security and agriculture, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).