MANILA, Philippines — Australia will be donating P60 million worth of pre-positioned relief supplies and associated funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to support the government response to humanitarian crises, including that caused by the Marawi crisis.
“We have helped the people of the Philippines with the war in Marawi, now we’re determined to help you win the peace, and that’s our commitment,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said during a visit to the DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City on Monday, November 13.
The donated supplies include tents, sleeping mats and blankets, mosquito nets, multi-purpose malong and children’s toys, which can support the immediate requirements of 160,000 people, the Australian embassy said in a statement.
DSWD officer-in-charge Emmanuel Leyco welcomed the assistance saying it boosted the agency’s disaster response capability “by implementing more efficient systems — and reaching people in need more quickly.”
The Australian donation is part of a P120-million Australian grant for a three-year Support Program for Disaster Response, which includes technical assistance from an Australian Civilian Corps adviser, the construction of a new warehouse at the NROC, and assistance for the DSWD to set up systems for more effective responses to disasters and conflict.
Australia has contributed P3.37 billion since 2006 to support the Philippine government’s response to disasters and conflict, the embassy said.