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UN and partners seek $46.8 million to help Bohol earthquake victims

Countries
Philippines
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

(Manila, 25 October 2013): The UN and humanitarian partners in the Philippines are launching an action plan that seeks US$46.8 million to meet the acute needs of the victims of the Bohol Earthquake. The plan supports Government priorities, including emergency shelter for 344,000 displaced and homeless people, water, sanitation and hygiene, debris removal and coordination, as well as other life-saving interventions.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, Ms Luiza Carvalho, stressed the significance of timely and targeted aid for the victims, many of whom have also lost their livelihoods.

“The Philippines experienced successive, multiple and simultaneous disasters recently,” said Ms Carvalho. “Humanitarian actors currently responding to several calamities are stretched to full capacity and we need support to provide an effective, needs-based intervention to complement the Government’s timely and hands-on response.”

Large numbers of displaced people have acute shelter needs as the northeast monsoon continues in the earthquake-affected areas until December, further exposing the population. “People urgently require temporary and transitional shelter, to protect them from the elements” said Ms. Carvalho. “We are concerned for the most vulnerable, especially the well-being of women and children.”

Another critical issue is the damage to water sources; pipelines, pumping stations and the electricity supply, all affecting the availability of drinking water. There is also concern that a shortage of sanitation facilities will leave people exposed to a greater risk of disease.

The damage to infrastructure is acute, with homes, hospitals, health units, churches and schools severely affected - many beyond repair. While poor road conditions continue to improve, there are still logistical challenges in providing relief to communities who remain inaccessible, except by motorcycle and boat.

“Providing relief to the people who most need it requires cooperation and coordination with the local and national authorities, who are leading this response,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator. “We want to ensure that resources are maximized and efforts not duplicated,” she continued. “And we will operate, as we always do, with our guiding principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality.”

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.