Monday 11 November 2013
Following the passage of Typhoon Haiyan through the Philippine Archipelago on Friday 8 November 2013, the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission has been in close contact with the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (the DEC) regarding how best to respond to this disaster.
Typhoon Haiyan is believed to be the most powerful typhoon to strike land and wind speeds of 235km per hour were recorded with gusts of up to 275 km per hour. The typhoon made initial landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar but if effects have been felt across the entire archipelago. Further the typhoon comes just three and a half weeks after a massive earthquake measuring 7.2 struck the island of Bohol causing extensive damage to the infrastructure.
The Commission is currently awaiting confirmation from the DEC about whether or not a national appeal will be launched in response to this disaster.
The Commission recognises that the scale of this disaster requires a co-ordinated response to ensure that the humanitarian aid which is so desperately needed reaches those in greatest need in a timely way.
From the information the Commission is receiving, access to the many island communities which make up the Philippines appears to be the greatest challenge as so much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. The DEC has advised the Commission that it is in contact with the Red Cross, a charity with a well-established network of volunteers across the Philippines and other agencies regarding what aid is most urgently needed and where and the logistics of getting that aid to the various islands and communities in such desperate need.
Deputy Mike O'Hara, Commission Chairman said:
"The Commissioners, like all who have seen the news reports from the Philippines over the weekend, have been deeply moved and have agreed that a donation of £50,000 should be made from its Disaster Emergency Relief Fund, on behalf of the people of Guernsey. It has advised the DEC on its intention to make this donation.
The Commission recognises that such events invariably generate a desire to act now, to do something to assist the communities at the centre of such natural disasters. However, from the experience it has gained and the advice it is received from the DEC and many of the charities working in this area, it is essential to ensure that the correct resources are identified and targeted and so reach the communities most in need."
The Commission will issue a further update on the situation as soon as it receives confirmation from the DEC about its national appeal. It anticipates that the DEC will make a decision within the next 24 hours.
-ENDS-
Further information
The Commission receives an annual budget of £200,000 from the States of Guernsey towards Disaster Emergency Relief.
The Commission's general policy in respect of Emergency Disaster Relief awards is to supporting appeals launched by the DEC following a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis.
So far this year, the Commission has made three donations, each of £25,000, to the Syrian Crisis - two to the DEC appeal and one to UNICEF.
Disaster Emergency Committee - www.dec.org.uk
The DEC brings 14 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: Action Aid, Age UK, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
The DEC's appeal criteria are:
- The disaster must be on such a scale and of such urgency as to call for swift international humanitarian assistance
- The DEC member agencies, or some of them, must be in a position to provide effective and swift humanitarian assistance at a scale to justify a national appeal
- There must be reasonable grounds for concluding that a public appeal would be successful, either because of evidence of existing public sympathy for the humanitarian situation or because there is a compelling case indicating the likelihood of significant public support should an appeal be launched
The DEC uses the following classification for disasters and emergencies:
One-off Catastrophes - Such as earthquakes, which have an immediate impact on local communities. As the 2010 Haiti Earthquake Appeal showed, the general public can be extremely generous in donating to help people survive a major catastrophe. After the initial humanitarian assistance phase, members may need longer-term funding to help people rebuild their homes and villages.
Slow-onset Humanitarian Crises - Such as the 2005 crisis in Niger, which develop over time. For example, severe food shortages caused by complex environmental and economic factors may develop gradually over months or even years. The situation may be affected by political factors.
Complex Political Emergencies - Such as the 2008 crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which often require a longer-term intervention for which funding may not be available. This kind of humanitarian crisis may not attract much, or any, media and public attention until the situation reaches a critical point.
