More foreign countries sent help and pledged cash aid to the Philippines for its relief operations in typhoon-ravaged areas in the country.
After the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and United Kingdom donated financial assistance and basic goods for the typhoon victims, countries such as Australia, the European Union, Switzerland, Singapore, New Zealand, Hungary, and Ireland also extended assistance to the Philippines.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson announced on Dec. 23, Thursday, that the Australian government will provide P187.5 million in emergency relief "to help the people of the Philippines recover from the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Typhoon Odette."
The Australian government also earlier donated solar lamps, mosquito nets, plastic traps, and plastic sheets to displaced families.
The European Union (EU) and its Member States, in a statement said, that they have allocated and delivered P160.69-million worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines. The funding will cover mainly immediate needs through the provision of food, drinking water, shelter, and other urgently needed household items.
"This initial assistance is on top of important contributions of the EU and its Member States to the emergency funds of multilateral humanitarian institutions that have responded to the needs created by the typhoon. Some other Member State are redirecting funding or contributing to those institutions," the EU said.
Switzerland has also contributed P32.6 million to the Philippine Red Cross coursed through the International Federation of Red Cross.
Hungary has sent €54,000 to the Philippines to help in its typhoon relief operations, Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines Titanilla Tóth said.
Ireland, for its part, has contributed €250,000 intended to provide provision of essential goods and services to heavily-affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Singapore pledged to contribute US$60,000 to the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) fundraising efforts for those affected by extreme climate events in Philippines and Malaysia. This will supplement SRC’s pledge of US$50,000 each to Philippines and Malaysia Red Cross.
On Dec. 22, Wednesday, US, China, and South Korea announced that they will each provide cash assistance to the Philippines as it raced to reach out to the typhoon-hit areas.
READ MORE: US, China, South Korea pledge cash aid to PH for 'Odette' relief ops