Australia to give P10M aid for Glenda victims

ABS-CBNnews.comPosted at 07/17/2014 3:07 PM | Updated as of 07/17/2014 3:07 PMMANILA - The Australian government on Thursday said it will provide up to P10 million (A$250,000) assistance to Filipinos affected by typhoon "Glenda.""Australia is a close friend and partner of the Philippines, and our thoughts and sympathy go out to those affected by the Typhoon," Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said.As of Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the typhoon was at 38. Ten others were wounded while eight more are still missing.The NDRRMC said at least 192,131 families or 1,006,360 individuals were affected by the typhoon, which caused extensive damage in Bicol and Southern Luzon.Australia has released emergency relief supplies for some of the affected families. It has also released non-food items prepositioned with its partners, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)."The assistance includes family survival kits containing sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets and emergency shelters delivered to over 1,400 families in Albay and Camarines Sur through the Philippines Red Cross. Through UNFPA, health and dignity kits will also be distributed for 2,000 women in the Bicol region," Tweddell said.Australia is one of the Philippines' largest partners in disaster response and management. It has contributed P4 billion (A$108.12 million) humanitarian assistance to the country since 2006.For super typhoon "Yolanda" alone, Australia provided P3.1 billion (A$77.3 million) for response and recovery needs.