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Australia pledges more to storm-ravaged Philippines

Armed with extra Australian funds, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has visited typhoon-devastated communities in the Philippines, pledging another $10 million to Australia's aid effort.

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Source: AAP, SBS


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On the ground, she expressed horror and sympathy.

"I am struck by the scale of the devastation. Until you actually see it, it's hard to comprehend how anyone could have survived such a devastating typhoon."

Ms Bishop on Sunday met the Australian medical team in Tacloban, one of the areas worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan, and Australian Defence Force personnel working in Ormoc and surrounding areas.

She thanked the health, defence, aid, consular and other officials who have responded to the crisis, and the Australian public who had donated more than $13 million to relief and recovery efforts.

In Tacloban's only fully-functioning hospital, authorities say the biggest health problem is pneumonia in evacuation centres.

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"Overcrowding can cause that", officer in charge Rhodora Angulo says.

"They're exposed to different kinds of weather - the cold, the very hot, the cold, then it rains every day.

With little electricity, premature babies don't get incubators, while mothers and their newborns simply endure the heat.

The additional $10 million in humanitarian relief brings Australia's total contribution to $40 million.

Almost 15 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which caused massive destruction early last month.

Ms Bishop will travel to Manila to meet her Filipino counterpart and other cabinet members, where the Philippines' recovery needs and broader bilateral and regional issues will be discussed.


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