Press Release

OFID joins relief afforts in the Philippines

81/2006 December 6, 2006, Vienna, Austria
Press inquiries:

As rescue and relief operations continue in the Philippines, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has provided US$300,000 in emergency aid to help victims of Typhoon Durian. The funds will be used to procure essential supplies such as drinking water, food, medicine and sleeping bags.

Typhoon Durian struck the Philippines on November 30, bringing torrential rains and winds of up to 240 kph. The disaster area is located on Luzon Island, where ash, boulders and mud from the Mount Mayon volcano have swamped villages on its slopes and around its base. Official figures record 425 dead, but it is feared this number could rise to 1,000 as recovery work continues. A further 40,000 people are believed to have had their homes destroyed and are in urgent need of temporary accommodation.

Emergency operations are being led by the International Society of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in cooperation with other humanitarian organizations in the disaster zone. The OFID grant will be channelled through the IFRC.