UN seeks $143.7m for Philippine typhoon victims

Manila: The United Nations have appealed to donors for $143.7 million (Dh530 million), from $74 million, for the rehabilitation of typhoon devastated Philippines, where twin-typhoons claimed more than 1,000 lives and left nearly 2 million homeless between September and October this year.

"We are presenting this revised appeal today, in the hope that the international community will do all they can to further assist the millions of Filipinos still affected today by the impact of multiple typhoons that have ravaged the country," said UN resident coordinator Jacqueline Badcock in a statement.

Unfulfilled promises

The United Nation's call for an "emergency response" has been made because donors have not yet fulfilled extending assistance to important sectors, such as agricultural enhancement; relocation of displaced people; children and protection, Badcock said.

So far, the United Nations have raised only $26 million and this has hampered the flow of necessary funding in areas in Metro Manila, which is still flooded and will remain so if it is not rehabilitated with infrastructure development, Badcock said.