MANILA – In the wake of monsoon rains that have brought severe floods to the Luzon and Visayas regions, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has mobilized logistics and food support tocomplement the Philippine Government’s emergency relief efforts, working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“WFP is saddened by the humanitarian impact of the non-stop rains over the last week in the Philippines, and we would like reiterate our solidarity with the Philippine Government during times of emergencies. We stand ready to offer our full support to augment government efforts when needed,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.
WFP has delivered a total of 52.5 metric tons of high-energy biscuits to benefit 262,500 flood-affected individuals from the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A. These biscuits are currently being distributed by the DSWD.
Most of the biscuits (39.5 metric tons) will go to Regions III and IV-A, which the government has identified as the most flood-affected, where they will be distributed to 197,500 people.
The remaining 13 metric tons will assist 65,000 flood-affected people in the National Capital Region, which includes the areas of Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Paranaque and Quezon City.
High-energy biscuits are wheat-based biscuits fortified with vitamins and minerals. They are often distributed during the first few days of an emergency, when people have limited access to cooking facilities.
In addition to distributing the biscuits, WFP is contracting trucks to help transport DSWD relief supplies to affected communities in Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces.
In the coming days, WFP will also distribute nutritious ready-to-use supplementary food to about77,000 flood-affected children (aged 6 to 36 months) in Luzon, in partnership with the Department of Health.
