New Zealand donates $200,000 to Philippines

A Filipino boy carries a bag containing relief goods on his head in Infanta town in Quezon province. Picture / Reuters

UPDATE - New Zealand is giving the Philippines $200,000 to help the relief effort for hundreds of thousands of people affected by typhoons in the area, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

Philippines officials are seeking international help to rebuild villages destroyed by storms which left more than 1100 people either dead or missing and devastated mostly poor, northern, agricultural regions.

Flash floods, landslides and a typhoon destroyed hundreds of houses, farms, roads and bridges. Damaged infrastructure has hampered rescue efforts and the flow of relief goods to far-flung villages, officials said.

Helen Clark said it was distressing to see the damage and suffering the disaster had caused and that it was important New Zealand stepped forward to help.

"New Zealand understands only too well how natural disasters can damage economic prospects as well as cause human suffering, and we are helping where we can," she said in a statement.

New Zealand's contribution was being made by government international aid and development agency NZAID. It would be allocated equally to the appeals of the United Nations Development Programme and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The New Zealand Red Cross said earlier today it would send $25,000 to the area.

Tear Fund New Zealand is also lending a helping hand to the devastated nation and will provide food, utensils, hygiene kits, water purification tablets and temporary shelter to the worst-hit regions.

Donations of $20 to the Philippines can be made through Red Cross, by telephoning 0900 31 100.

- NZPA