MANILA - United Nations Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos called for better coordination in the relief work in areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.
Amos said the humanitarian effort is a "major, major operation."
"What we're doing now we just need more of it: more supplies, more people on the ground, better coordination."
Amos spoke to media after arriving from Tacloban City.
She conceded the response to the disaster has been slow, pointing out that the primary responders to the disaster, the local government, are themselves victims.
"I was in Tacloban yesterday. The city is totally devastated. It was terrible to see thousands of people at the airport hoping to leave. People in the city are concerned they have not yet had food or water," she said.
"It hasn't moved fast enough.”
Amos' comments came as international media slammed the Philippine government's response to the disaster.
Amos confirmed the relief effort is "significantly challenged" noting there is "no fuel, lack of trucks to get supplies from airport to people who need it, not just in Tacloban, but people in outlying areas."
Amos noted there is now frustration on the ground.
"People are frustrated they can’t do more because of challenges. I'm impatient. [But we] try to make sure we overcome those challenges. The local government has been decimated."
Until 2 days ago, she said the Tacloban airport did not have runway lights and could not operate all hours of the day. "I completely understand the frustration, we should have been able to do better. I recognize the reasons…People need basic necessities of life"
Dismayed
She added: "I'm extremely dismayed for the people of Tacloban."
People are finding it difficult to get on with their lives, she said.
Amos related she saw personally how people are traumatized, even as they are trying to rebuild their lives.
She recalled seeing people trying to find water to wash clothes. "I saw all of these myself. We need to do more. We need to have the aid coming in, not just to Tacloban. Cebu is a hub for us, which again can be used. We have a lot of donors: the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan offering air assets, financial support. We are going to get more people on the ground. Those numbers have gone up."
Amos however quickly pointed out that this slow response is changing, noting more aid and equipment have arrived.
"I was pleased to see we're scaling up operations."
Cut them some slack
Amos and other UN officials, however, wants to cut the government some slack. "I met the task team, I met 3 secretaries from the government who have been there and are themselves pulling together, I met the mayor who is distraught by what happened. I met local congressman. Everyone has same objective.”
Amos was with David Carden, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Carden said, "I'd say government has been severely affected. It's a super-super typhoon, off the charts. No one is unaffected."
In an earlier address to the media, Amos noted that the storm surge in Tacloban destroyed almost every building there.
“The situation is dismal, those who have been able to leave, have done so, many more are trying. People are extremely vulnerable and desperate for help. We need to get assistance to them now. Ensuring a faster delivery is our immediate priority,” she said.
“Today and over the coming days, things will get better as logistical capacity increases and facilities at the airport continue to improve," she added.
Amos said there is an urgent need to ensure access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation services. She said there is a need for a family-tracing service.
Amos also reminded everyone that Tacloban isn't the only area affected by Yolanda. "Other regions suffered severe losses and damage and have not fallen off our priority list."
Amos also reassured the government of the international community's support.
She also paid tribute to the resiliency of the Filipino.
"Yesterday, I saw it personally. People with absolutely nothing are doing their best to regain some degree of normality. We all must do much more now to ensure they receive the help they desperately need and the support required to rebuild their lives."
Based on UN figures, super typhoon Yolanda has affected 11.5 million people, displacing about 545,000. Around 30% of them are outside evacuation sites, while 70% are in evacuation centers.
A total of $301 million is needed, but only 14% has been funded.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
