WFP helps typhoon struck Philippines

7 December 2014. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing transportation and food supplies to support the Philippines Government’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Hagupit.

“We are working flat-out to support the Government in this response,” said Praveen Agrawal, WFP Philippines Country Director. “Food, trucks or satphones – we will provide whatever is needed to help the people of the Philippines as this situation unfolds.”

Supplies are being readied for deployment to Eastern Visayas and Bicol regions to   rapidly assist in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Typhoon Ruby.

Logistical support, aimed to deliver pre-positioned government supplies of food to affected c0mmunities as quickly as possible, entails temporary warehousing space and land and sea transport, as well as IT support such as radios, satellite phones and generator sets.

WFP has its own food stocks in-country if government supplies need to be supplemented. WFP currently has available more than 260 metric tons (MT) of high energy biscuits, almost 4,000 MT of rice, and over 130 MT of ready-to-use supplementary food. These food stocks could provide assistance to about 1.8 million people   for a two-week period.

Stocks have been strategically stored in Manila, Cebu, and Cotabato, and staff have been deployed to set up a base in Tacloban. Logistics equipment has also been put in place ahead of time in the potential operational areas.  

Donations to support WFP’s response can be made here.