WFP appeals for donations for typhoon Bopha victims

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Marketing Communication Manager-Australia Monica Salvitti announced that WFP has set up a local Australian appeal for the Philippines Typhoon Bopha Emergency Relief.  Australians can now make a secure tax deductible donation to the project via their webpage www.gdg.org.au/wfpbopha

WFP is proud to partner for the Philippines Typhoon Bopha Emergency Relief Project (J764N) with Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993), an Australian AusAID approved Non Government Organisation. Donations over $2 to this Global Development Group approved aid and development project J764N are tax deductible in Australia, and will be issued by Global Development Group.

World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for US$21.6 million to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance as well as logistics support for 400,000 people who have been most affected by Typhoon Bopha in the worst-hit areas of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, the CARAGA region, and Lanao del Sur. Over 5.4 million people have been affected by Typhoon Bopha and WFP will provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance for 400,000 of the most critically-affected people until May 2013.

Following the UN flash appeal WFP moved quickly to deliver 200 tons of rice to benefit 40,000 families in Compostela Valley and 50 tons of rice for 10,000 families in Davao Oriental for the first round of food distributions. WFP’s emergency food assistance, which comprises 10 kilograms of rice and two kilograms of high energy biscuits for each family, complements the Department of Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) ongoing relief and recovery operations.

“One year after Tropical Storm Washi hit Northern Mindanao, WFP is again deeply saddened by the suffering and destruction caused by Typhoon Bopha. We are working around the clock in partnership with the Government to ensure a coordinated and effective response to food and other priority humanitarian needs,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

The DSWD has requested WFP’s support in setting up two hubs in Davao Oriental and the CARAGA region to help speed up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Typhoon Bopha.

As of 10 December, WFP had already delivered rice and high-energy biscuits for 142,500 people and Ready-to-Use supplementary foods for 26,000 children. Thirty-eight trucks have also been deployed to help local government units deliver relief goods.

For further information regarding the Emergency operation, please visit the Philippine country office webpage: http://www.wfp.org/countries/philippines