The World Food Program (WFP) provided anticipatory cash aid to more than 42,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Luzon ahead of the arrival of Super Typhoon Uwan. Each family received P4,000 as assistance to prepare for the impact of the storm.
The assistance was implemented on November 6, reaching nearly 210,000 people in the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija. According to Regis Chapman, WFP country director, this step is a way to help the most affected families before the disaster strikes.
Chapman explained that this type of assistance focuses on providing immediate support based on forecasts and risk assessments. WFP, DSWD, and Office of Civil Defense are also currently discussing policies to make the provision of this aid more systematic.
Although some areas like Bicol did not reach the threshold, Chapman said they could still receive assistance after the typhoon.
In recent years, the Philippines has remained the most disaster-prone country in the world. Recently, thousands of families in Cebu and Southern Leyte were displaced by Typhoon Tino, which affected more than 525,000 people and damaged nearly 8,700 houses.
