United Nations Radio

The World Food Programme is continuing its efforts to help the people of the Philippines following Thyphoon Mirinae, the latest in a string of storms to hit the country.

Flooding in Philippines

UN Spokesperson Michele Montas says WFP has revised its estimates of emergency and early recovery needs and is now requesting an additional 44,000 metric tons of food to assist typhoon survivors through March 2010.

"WFP plans to reach 1.5 million people affected, including assistance to 100,000 of the poorest farmers and their families who lost their entire rice harvest. To reach the most vulnerable children between 20 months and 6 years, WFP is preparing to establish a supplementary feeding program in coordination with the National Nutrition Council."

To date WFP has received $25 million of the $74 million requested to support survivors. Typhoon Mirinae, the fourth storm in little more than a month, swept across the northern Philippines over the weekend dumping additional rain on the region, already severely flooded by previous storms. Vietnam was also hit by the storm resulting in 87 deaths and 74 injuries.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
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