UN World Food Program sends 3 tons of food aid to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has responded to the Philippine government’s quest for immediate food, non-food items and logistics support for the effort to assist people displaced by tropical storm Sendong.

In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Air Force, WFP said on Tuesday it dispatched three tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected areas to assist 7,800 of the most vulnerable people who could not easily cook food.

In addition, WFP also mobilized and delivered key items needed for the relief operation, including water tanks and a mobile storage tent.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and displacement as a result of the storm and flash floods,” said WFP country director and representative Stephen Anderson. “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Filipino people who have suffered from the floods, lost family members or friends.”

The government has specifically requested WFP emergency food and non-food items – such as blankets, water tanks, tarpaulins and tents—for over 74,000 people in the areas of Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City and Kinoguitan of Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, as well as logistics support to help transport government relief items to affected communities in Northern Mindanao.

Anderson said specific WFP support would be determined by the results of ongoing joint assessments with the government, UN and other humanitarian agencies.

“WFP staff is working around the clock to support people in these communities – many who have lost everything,” Anderson explains. “Our swift response to support the Government’s relief effort has been helped by the fact that we have existing operations in Central Mindanao focusing on populations who have been affected by conflict and natural disasters.”

Since 2006, WFP has had two offices with 70 staff members in Cotabato City and Iligan City.