Philippines: WFP Distributes High Energy Biscuits To Augment Government Efforts Assisting Flood-Victims Of Typhoon Nesat

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

WFP is supporting government relief efforts by providing immediate food assistance to typhoon-affected communities in Northern Luzon, where flooding has caused displacement and damaged livelihoods. NORTHERN LUZON -In the aftermath of Typhoon Nesat (locally known as "Pedring") which battered the Philippines on Tuesday and has affected over two million persons in Luzon, the northernmost island of the country, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) to augment government efforts to provide relief in areas north of Manila that are still flood-affected.  "WFP is contributing 100 tons of HEBs to directly support and complement  the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) ongoing relief efforts for priority flood-affected provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan and Zambales," says Stephen Anderson, WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative. WFP has already delivered 100 tons of HEBs to affected areas.  This quantity is sufficient for distribution to 50,000 families (approximately 250,000 people) who cannot easily cook food, with two kilograms allocated for each family.  Distributions, which have already commenced in Bulacan, are expected to be completed by Monday. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 370,000 persons remain displaced due to Typhoon Nesat. The storm has also caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture livelihoods in worst affected areas.  From this morning, another typhoon - Typhoon Nalgae (locally known as "Quiel") has made landfall in the northern Philippines, and heavy rains are being reported which add to the hardship of already flood-affected populations.