Typhoon Haiyan is one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record to make landfall. More than 13 million people have been affected and more than 4 million people have been forced from their homes.
What happened in the Philippines is an absolute tragedy. You can see the devastation, the suffering, and it’s quite clear that we are going to need long-term help for those people. The British Government has already pledged over £50 million, which makes us one of the most generous donors anywhere in the world. But it’s practical action that’s needed as well. Not only are we getting water, shelter and medical supplies to thousands of people in desperate need but British equipment and personnel will help clear the roads so international humanitarian relief can get to where it needs to go.
An Antonov aircraft arrived in Cebu on 20 November from Amsterdam, bringing vital aircraft unloading kit that will double the amount of aid that can flow through the Philippines' Cebu airport. The kit on board, funded by the UK, included a main deck loader which can be used to unload heavy equipment and aircraft pallets from large aircraft, as well as a forklifts, a tow tractor, a 4x4, pallets, oil and tools.
HMS Illustrious and her 900-strong crew has now arrived in the Philippines. She is equipped with a large flight deck, seven helicopters, medical and engineering capabilities, and the means to produce fresh water. Helicopters will be used to assist with the distribution of food and water to survivors stranded in remote locations.
The UK’s total contribution is more than £50 million, which will help get shelter, clean water and emergency supplies to up to 800,000 people. This includes:
- matching the first £5 million donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for the Philippines, ensuring leading charities have the resources they need to help victims of the typhoon and make the public’s generous donations go even further;
- £8 million for the Rapid Response Facility so partners on the ground can provide crucial humanitarian aid;
- £3 million to fly vital supplies such as water purification kits, cutting equipment and medical support, as well as teams of humanitarian and medical experts, to flood hit areas;
- at least £5 million for the deployment of MOD assets to support the aid effort; and
- £30 million to support the UN and Red Cross emergency appeals for the Philippines. The funding will be used to deliver vital supplies to more than 500,000 victims of the Typhoon Haiyan and support UN and Red Cross teams working on the ground as they coordinate the international relief effort.
- UK flights carrying urgently needed supplies are arriving in the Philippines. Eleven flights have now landed at Cebu airport, carrying nearly 700t of shelter kits, hygiene kits, water and sanitation equipment. This includes three RAF C17s and eight commercial flights, six of them carrying UK aid from the government and the other two equipment and supplies for the Red Cross.
