New Zealand Sends Additional Aid For Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts In the Philippines

The international relief response for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines has been overwhelming with countries worldwide showing support and solidarity in time of crisis. The Category 5 typhoon has left more than 4,000 dead and 4 million people displaced. The damage to property, agriculture and infrastructure has reached billions.

New Zealand has pledged an additional $2.975 million to boost ongoing relief operations in central Philippines. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the recent donation will bring New Zealand's total typhoon aid to $5 million.

Relief goods and emergency supplies have been flowing into the typhoon-devastated country as more people are in need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies.

According to McCully, the funds from New Zealand will be used to purchase food, water containers, power generators, tarpaulins, kitchen sets and chainsaws. New Zealand will give additional funds to the International Red Cross and World Food Programme to facilitate the purchase and distribution of emergency supplies.

The aid package will also include an additional $750,000 for a total of $1.5 million for Kiwi non-government organizations in the disaster zone and assist local officials in relief operations.

New Zealand has already provided logistical and airlift support with the help of the country's Defence Force. During the weekend, the New Zealand Defence Force C-130 delivered canned goods, 30 tons of rice, water, field hospital equipment, emergency shelter and portable toilets to the devastated cities of Ormoc, Tacloban and the Guiuan town.

The foreign affairs minister said the New Zealand military plane was also used to transport survivors from Tacloban to Cebu.

The U.S. has also accelerated its relief efforts in the Philippines with the arrival of 50 American ships and aircraft, including 12 V-22 Ospreys, 14 Seahawks and 10 C-130 transport planes carrying relief goods and supplies to hard-to-reach areas battered by Typhoon Haiyan.

The Australian contingent has set-up a field hospital to help treat the sick and injured survivors. Bill Tweddell, Australia's ambassador to the Philippines, visited the Australiian emergency hospital Nov. 17 in Tacloban. The field hospital set-up by the Australian team was equipped with an emergency and resuscitation team with two surgeons. Field nurses were also on-site running an operating room, recovery room and ward.