$3.5 million donated to UNDP anew

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines Luiza Carvalho will sign a memorandum of cooperation upon Japan’s declaration for additional $3.5 million for UNDP’s Yolanda recovery activities. The signing ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on March 27 at Peninsula Hotel, Makati, witnessed by UNDP Administrator Helen Clark.

Japan committed $3.5 million for UNDP on November 19, 2013, 11 days after Super Typhoon Yolanda landed the Philippines, and seven days after “Typhoon Haiyan Action Plan” was announced by UN and other international agencies. Japan considered that debris clearing had to be quickly conducted in the very first stage of the response because no humanitarian response would be reached to the affected people if the road to them were not cleared. Based on Japan’s commitment, UNDP was able to purchase equipment needed for the initial response, especially debris clearing. Japan’s speedy commitment expedited UNDP‘s response efforts.