Aussies donate 1,000 tents

THE Australian government donated 1,000 tents to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 for supertyphoon Yolanda survivors.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell formally turned over the tents at the Benito Ebuen Airbase in Lapu Lapu City.

The tents were flown in by a 747 jumbo jet from Malaysia where an Australian Aid warehouse is located to serve the region. Each tent can cover an area of 16 square meters and can accommodate a family of eight to 10 members.

“Food, water, and the health of people affected by supertyphoon Yolanda remain pressing priorities, but the initial focus in those areas is giving way to one of the other priority areas for the Philippine Government: shelter,” Tweddel said.

DSWD 7 Director Mercedita Jabagat said they have yet to discuss where and how the tents will be distributed.

“Our close cooperation with the Philippine Government throughout this response speaks of the strength of the relationship between our two countries, and I am confident that this assistance will find its way to those most in need of shelter,” Tweddell said.