World news story

UK boosts response to Philippines typhoon

Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged another P280 million of assistance bringing the total amount pledged to relief efforts in the Philippines to P1 billion.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
British Prime Minister David Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron. (Photo credit: DFID - UK Department for International Development)

At a speech in London on 11 November, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced further UK assistance to the Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts.

皇冠体育app Prime Minister has pledged another 280 million pesos of assistance bringing the total amount pledged to Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) and other ongoing relief efforts in the Philippines to approximately 1 billion pesos (over 拢14 million).

To help the rapid disbursement of this assistance, the Prime Minister has also directed the Royal Navy and Royal Air force to make available to the relief efforts a navy warship and a Boeing C-17 freighter. 皇冠体育app Royal Navy has a warship, HMS Daring, in Singapore and it will make straight for the Philippines. In consultation and cooperation with the Philippine government and international partners HMS Daring and her crew would be able to provide humanitarian assistance, helicopter lift from one on-board Lynx and engineering and first-aid expertise. 皇冠体育app Type 45 destroyer also carries equipment to make drinking water from seawater. 皇冠体育app first C-17 flight could take place in the next few days.

皇冠体育app additional support announced by the Prime Minister will provide:

  • Aid flights from the UK to Cebu in the eastern Philippines to deliver forklift trucks, cutting equipment, 4x4s and other kit to help clear and re-open runways and roads;

  • 皇冠体育app delivery of life-saving supplies through Rapid Response Facility partner agencies such as temporary shelters, blankets and water purification tablets to 300,000 people; and

  • Household goods to allow the safe treatment and storage of water and to help prevent the spread of disease. 皇冠体育appse includes buckets, water purification tablets, soap and sanitary items.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad said:

We stand by the Filipino people during this very difficult time. Last night our Prime Minister David Cameron announced an additional contribution which can help provide 800,000 people the food, water and shelter they urgently need. We are proud to be just one part of what is becoming a truly international response in support of the Philippine government and the people of the Philippines.

Further Information

皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 contribution in response to Typhoon Yolanda is now 拢10 million. An additional assistance of about 拢4.1 million was provided earlier this year for ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Philippines including disaster preparedness and response. This brings total UK aid to humanitarian efforts in the Philippines to over 拢14 million.

Updates to this page

Published 12 November 2013