Cameron Pledges Further $48 Million Aid to Philippines
Prime Minister David Cameron announced Saturday that Britain was providing a further $48 million to help the relief effort after the devastating typhoon in the Philippines.
"Today I can announce that we are providing a further 30 million pounds ($48 million) to support the United Nations and Red Cross emergency appeal" to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, he told reporters.
"We are also deploying an RAF C-130 aircraft to help ensure that aid workers move between worst affected areas and get the aid to those who need it most," Cameron added while attending a Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka.
Cameron said Britain had already pledged 23 million pounds to help the relief effort but said it was clear more aid was needed after "watching appalling scenes of mass destruction".
"The huge scale of the disaster is now becoming clearer every day," he said.
"They are going to need sustained help from the international community."
Britain has also sent the helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious to help the relief effort after the November 8 typhoon.
Authorities in the Philippines have put the official death toll at 3,633, with 1,179 people missing and nearly 12,500 injured.
The U.N. has put the number of dead at 4,460 and said Saturday that 2.5 million people still "urgently" required food assistance.
Source: Agence France Presse
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