UN Issues $500,000 For Philippines Floods

UN relief office gives $50,000 to help Philippines recover from floods and landslides

22 December – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is providing an emergency grant of $50,000 to help relief efforts following the deadly landslides and floods that struck the Philippines on Friday.

Incessant rains over a number of days triggered flooding, landslides and a tornado in the central part of the country. According to OCHA, citing government sources, 94 people were killed, another 50 injured and 93 remain missing as a result.

In total, an estimated $2.68 million in damages was caused and nearly 100,000 people in eight provinces were affected.

In New York today, a spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the UN "stands ready to assist those affected by the tragedy." OCHA is leading the effort by mobilizing donors to respond.

Voicing distress at the impact of the disasters, Mr. Annan conveyed his condolences to the victims.

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