- Title: PHILIPPINES: U.N. appeals for more aid for typhoon-hit Philippines
- Date: 21st December 2013
- Summary: SHOWS TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (DECEMBER 21, 2013) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS (U.N.) SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON STANDING WITH OFFICIALS BAN SPEAKING VILLAGERS LISTENING CONSTRUCTION WORKERS LISTENING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS BAN WITH U.N. DELEGATES WALKING TO AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SPEAKING IN FRONT OF U.N. AIRCRAFT, SAYING: "It's a huge challenge. What I have seen was a total destruction. More than one million houses have been completely destroyed, more than four million people have been displaced. Filipino government, while they are determined, committed to build back better and safer, they cannot do it alone. That is why I am here, to send our strong solidarity. But this solidarity should come together with generous support." BAN SPEAKING TO U.N. OFFICIAL (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SPEAKING ABOUT SYRIA, AYING: "Well over 100 000 people have been killed. Even a month, even a day the Syrian people cannot tolerate. We have to bring this conflict to a complete cessation. I am urging the parties to stop fighting as soon as possible." BAN SHAKING HANDS WITH U.N. TEAM IN TACLOBAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "The mandate of the United Nations is to keep the lives of civilian population. I have instructed our peace keepers, as well as our mission in South Sudan, to do whatever within their capacity and mandate to protect the civilian population." BAN WITH U.N. OFFICIALS WALKING ON TARMAC BAN SHAKING HANDS WITH OFFICIALS NEAR U.N. PLANE BAN STEPPING UP TO U.N. PLANE AND WAVING VARIOUS OF U.N. PLANE ON TARMAC
- Embargoed: 5th January 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Philippines
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Disasters
- Reuters ID: LVA2VHLXD20AABDHL699IO8EEWHJ
- Story Text: The United Nations on Saturday (December 21) stepped up its appeal for funds in the rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon-devastated central Philippines.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made the appeal after visiting Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte province which suffered the brunt of typhoon Haiyan after being battered with seven-metre high waves.
"It's a huge challenge. What I have seen was a total destruction. More than one million houses have been completely destroyed, more than four million people have been displaced. Filipino government, while they are determined, committed to build back better and safer, they cannot do it alone. That is why I am here, to send our strong solidarity. But this solidarity should come together with generous support," Ban said.
Haiyan reduced almost everything in its path to rubble when it swept ashore in the central Philippines on November 8, killing at least 6,102 people, nearly 1800 missing, and 4 million either homeless or with damaged homes.
The U.N. has been appealing for $800 million for 12 months of assistance for food, water and shelter for the affected people by Haiyan, but only 30 percent of the appeal has been funded.
The call for funding was part of the highest U.N. annual appeal ever of $12.9 billion for 2014, with more than half going to Syria and its neighbours.
Ban said there were many other areas that need support, which included the millions of Syrian refugees displaced by violence.
"Well over 100 000 people have been killed. Even a month, even a day the Syrian people cannot tolerate. We have to bring this conflict to a complete cessation. I am urging the parties to stop fighting as soon as possible."
Ban also raised concerns in the following violence in South Sudan, where two U.N. peace keepers have been killed in clashes.
"The mandate of the United Nations is to keep the lives of civilian population. I have instructed our peace keepers, as well as our mission in South Sudan, to do whatever within their capacity and mandate to protect the civilian population."
Hundreds of people have been killed in nearly a week of clashes that spread from the capital Juba and have reached vital oilfields, deepening the most serious internal crisis since the state won independence from Sudan two years ago.
South Sudan is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa despite its oil reserves, and it is plagued by ethnic fighting. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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