South Korea gives P30M to help typhoon-affected families in PH

The government of South Korea (Republic of Korea) sent aid worth P30 million (US$500,000) through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help typhoon-affected families in the Philippines.

The assistance enabled the WFP and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to reach 14,500 households with children under 5 registered in the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) of the government, the WFP said in a press release.

The beneficiaries were those affected by Kristine (international name: Trami) and other typhoons and storms which recently affected the country such as Leon, Marce, Nika, and Ofel.

Kristine, which was inside PAR from October 21 to 25, caused at least 97 fatalities and P4.34 billion in damage to infrastructure and agriculture, data released on October 28 by the NDRRMC showed.

“The ROK Government hopes that this assistance will support the recovery of the affected areas and help residents in those areas swiftly return to their daily lives,” ROK Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa said.

Families in Albay and Camarines Sur will receive P3,300 in cash for two months for their immediate food and other urgent needs, the WFP said.

The WFP also said it gave transportation support to the DSWD which enabled the latter to reach more than 764,500 individuals in Bicol with 152,900 family food packs.

It also deployed additional VSAT LEO (Very Small Aperture Terminal—Low Earth Orbit) units to improve data connectivity at evacuation centers.

The WFP said it also co-designed Government Emergency Communications Systems—Mobile Operations Vehicles for Emergency units which were deployed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology to ensure connectivity and support search and rescue efforts.

The WFP further said it is preparing for the effects of Super Typhoon Pepito. —KG, GMA Integrated News