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MANILA, Philippines — Vowing to support the Philippines for the long-haul, the United Kingdom has allocated at least P1 billion in fresh funding for government’s “build back better” program to rebuild typhoon-ravaged Eastern Visayas, the British Embassy in Manila has said.
Justine Greening, the UK’s International Development Secretary, announced the new funding commitment on Christmas eve, saying the amount will also send UK experts to the country to assist in the long-term recovery effort.
“The UK was at the forefront of the international emergency response in the Philippines, getting vital humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of survivors. Now, British money and expertise will help rebuild homes, get people back into work, and protect the most vulnerable, especially girls and women,” Greening said in a statement sent out by the Embassy.
British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment- both its government and people- to staying by the Philippines’ side throughout the rebuilding effort.
“The people of Britain continue their massive fund raising effort to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. This is a strong message to the UK Government from its citizens to sustain our work in the Philippines. Our hearts and minds are with Pinoys as they rise again from this tragedy,” Ahmad said.
The UK made the announcement just days after the Philippines announced its Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program, government’s reconstruction blueprint for the typhoon corridor where houses and other critical infrastructure were destroyed.
The new funding pledge is expected to benefit at least a million of the affected residents, raising to at least P5.4 billion the UK’s total assistance to survivors of Yolanda by far.
The amount is among the largest foreign aid the Philippines has received for the typhoon response. The British government had provided emergency relief supplies and logistics support through the royal military in the early part of disaster response.
“The UK is providing the money and expertise needed to start the longer term recovery of the Philippines and the restoration of livelihoods and buildings destroyed by the typhoon. The UK’s support will help people to earn an income again, by providing rice seeds, restoring irrigation systems on farms, and re-establishing fisheries,” said the Embassy in a statement.
Breaking down the new assistance package, the UK Embassy said the funding will go to building permanent shelter for the displaced, restoring public infrastructure, reestablishing education and health services, restoring rural agriculture fisheries systems and providing skills and entrepreneurial training.
The amount will also cover the deployment of British experts to assist in protecting vulnerable sectors, particularly women and children, while the social infrastructure on the ground is being restored.
The United Nations expressed concern that human trafficking might ensue in the disaster zone, as predators take advantage of families desperate to earn a living in order to get back on their feet.
Climate experts will also help the country develop weather resilience while business specialists will provide expert advise on restoration of infrastructure and creating employment.