ADB approves $2M loan for 'Odette' relief

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $2 million grant to support the country's Typhoon Odette response.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ADB said the grant, which is under its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, will provide humanitarian assistance to 15,000 households, or about 75,000 people in Visayas and Mindanao severely affected by the typhoon last December.

It will fund vouchers to be distributed to target communities, which beneficiaries can exchange for food in selected markets.

The grant also includes logistics support for the food assistance delivery.

"Typhoon Odette's damage on housing, agriculture, and infrastructure amid the Covid-19 pandemic has made life more difficult for Filipinos in affected areas," said ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Ramesh Subramaniam.

Source: TheManila Times