28 March 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez conveyed to New Zealand Minister of Civil Defence Nikki Kaye the deep appreciation of the Government and People of the Philippines for New Zealand’s steadfast commitment and collective support to help rebuild the Visayas.
As New Zealand continues to extend support and assistance in the ongoing and urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Central Philippines last November, Minister Kaye visited Palo, Leyte on March 16 and announced an additional funding of $2.5 million for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) programme to restore the farms and livelihood of farmers and provide training for them and agricultural technicians.
The New Zealand Government’s agriculture funding of $2.5 million brings its contribution to the Philippines’ recovery, restoration and rehabilitation to $7.5 million following its initial humanitarian assistance of more than $5 million, the deployment of the RNZAF C-130 for airlift and logistical support and provision of emergency supplies and equipment in the immediate aftermath of typhoon Haiyan last year.
Before Minister Kaye left for the Philippines, Ambassador Benavidez, accompanied by Minister and Consul General Arlene Gonzales Macaisa called on her on March 13 at her office in Parliament.
“We can never thank you enough for staying at our side and continuing to help the multitude of survivors who fought so hard and so well to stay alive. You have helped wipe away our tears, move our hearts, uplift our spirits and strengthen our resilience to overcome and emerge a stronger and more hopeful nation. Now that the Filipinos in the affected areas are back on their feet lifted up by the spirit of “bayanihan” (volunteerism and helping one another) from our people back home and the Filipino communities abroad, the overwhelming response from our international partners and the Philippine Government’s well-coordinated and all inclusive Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan, reconstruction and restoration are now primarily focused on housing and shelter, employment and livelihood, power restoration, education and infrastructure,” Ambassador Benavidez stated.
The Ambassador shared with her the current strategic, multi-stakeholder and multi-dimensional reconstruction programme to build back better, safer and more resilient communities in Central Philippines and reiterated the gratitude of the Filipino people for the gratifying groundswell of support from New Zealand and its people and continuing assistance and generosity to help restore livelihood and in the long-term recovery of areas greatly affected by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Minister Kaye highlighted the work being done in the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction committees, the importance of planning, legislation and financial frameworks for better responses to emergencies and faster recovery of communities in disaster prone areas as well as the objectives of her visit to Tacloban as part of the New Zealand’s continuing commitment to assist in building stronger and safer communities leveraging on its knowledge, experience and expertise in disaster preparedness, response and mitigation.