Note: This article from Manila Bullentin is no longer available in their website. This is a reproduction from the original.
This is the big difference with the World Bank and the US Congress. Washington DC NEVER HAS TO ANSWER TO THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER.
Excerpt: “Naturally, as UK’s representative to Manila, Ahmad said he is accountable to what his government has done in the Philippines and how they are using British public money in so far as humanitarian aid for “Yolanda” victims is concerned.”
$8.17-B ‘Yolanda’ plan baffles UK
Huge Aid Package Requires Careful Thinking, Says Envoy
by Roy Mabasa – February 24, 2014 (updated) from Manila Bullentin
http://www.mb.com.ph/8-17-b-yolanda-plan-baffles-uk/
Manila, Philippines — The $8.17-billion package that the Philippine government is asking from the international community for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas affected by super-typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) is so large, according to the top British diplomat in Manila, that it requires careful thinking.
“You can’t rush something and recreate the same problems,” said British Ambassador Asif Ahmad when asked by reporters in an interview at his residence in Makati City on how the UK will contribute to the Philippine government’s Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) which was launched by President Benigno S. Aquino III last Dec. 18.
Based on the plan, the Philippines will need a total of $8.17 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the devastated areas. About $0.78 billion will be spent for critical immediate actions, $2.05 billion for short-term interventions throughout 2014, and the rest, about $5.34 billion, for medium-term needs from 2015 to 2017.
