Ireland sends further 16 tonnes of aid supplies to Philippines

Ireland has sent another 16 tonnes of life-saving supplies to the Philippines.

Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello said the shipment of water and sanitation materials will help to protect vulnerable communities against disease in the worst-affected areas.

The stock, which will arrive tomorrow from Irish Aid's pre-positioned stocks in Malaysia, include water tanks, 9,000 jerry cans, 6,500 mosquito nets and 600 pickaxes and spades.

“This additional airlift is part of our overall support to our NGO partners working in the Philippines,” said Mr Costello. “These supplies will provide important water and sanitation services, which are vital to help protect the most vulnerable communities against disease.”

Ireland’s total contribution to the Typhoon Haiyan relief effort stands at €3.62 million.

Five members of Ireland's Rapid Response who have been deployed to assist UN agencies are carrying out further assessments of the needs on the ground. The team includes one engineer, two electrical engineers, an information management officer and a civil-military coordination officer who are supporting the work of the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs in the Philippines.

Elsewhere Oxfam Ireland urges people to give hardest hit families in the Philippines and other emergency situations the gifts they really need this Christmas.

It launched an urgent Christmas appeal to help survivors of humanitarian disasters and other families forced to leave everything behind because of conflict, like in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The 12 Days of Giving appeal aims to raise vital funds that will help provide essential items such as toilets, safe water, food vouchers and shelter through Oxfam’s emergency responses worldwide.