WFP provides food assistance to “Ondoy” victims

Manila (29 September) — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today said it will support relief efforts by the Philippines Government after a deadly tropical storm slammed into the country over the weekend and caused severe flooding in urban areas. As an initial response, WFP will provide vital food rations to around 180,000 Filipinos who are struggling to cope with the impact of the storm.

Some 80 percent of capital city Manila was submerged after the record rainfall, and more than 450,000 people were affected. At least 145,000 people – many of whom found themselves neck deep in water on Saturday – have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in evacuation centres or host communities. The Government has declared a “state of calamity” in Manila and 25 provinces.

“We are deeply saddened by the magnitude of the human suffering caused by this natural calamity and we assure the Philippines Government and its people of our support for a swift and coordinated recovery effort,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP Country Representative in the Philippines, adding that as part of its initial emergency response, WFP– in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — will provide more than 740 metric tons of rice to 178,000 flood victims in the worst-affected areas.

On Sunday, WFP participated in a government-organized helicopter fly-over of some of the most affected areas. A joint rapid needs assessment between the government and UN agencies is currently underway.

Since 2006, WFP has been supporting conflict-affected populations in the Southern Philippines (Mindanao), but also supports large-scale natural disaster response on a case-by-case basis.

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. In 2009, WFP aims to feed 108 million people in 74 countries, including more than 20 million children in schools. (WFP/PIA9-BST)