MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will contribute humanitarian assistance to the Philippines, El Salvador and the Palestinian Territories to help provide food, shelter and basic services to people adversely affected by natural disasters and conflict.
In the Philippines, Australia will provide $8 million to help those affected by the typhoons that struck the Philippines in September and October this year. This is in addition to Australia's initial assistance of $3 million in food aid and emergency supplies.
More than 10 million people have been affected by the typhoons. Nearly a thousand people lost their lives.
Australia's assistance includes:
· $3 million to help rebuild schools in flood-affected areas of Manila;
· $3 million to help provide improved health, water, sanitation and hygiene; and
· $2 million for food aid and assistance to farmers in Northern Philippines.
Australia will also provide $1 million in food assistance to victims of Hurricane Ida, which caused severe flooding and landslides in El Salvador in early November.
To date, nearly 200 people have been reported dead, over 75 people are missing and approximately 75,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
In the Palestinian Territories, Australia will contribute $10 million for essential education and health services for the Palestinian people.
Australia's assistance will support the Palestinian Authority to build effective institutions, deliver basic services and improve the effectiveness of its activities.
Today's announcement fulfils Australia's $20 million pledge in March 2009 to assist the Palestinian Authority to meet the recovery and reconstruction needs of the Palestinian people.