Key John: Motions — Typhoon—PhilippinesText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKey John: Motions — Typhoon—Philippines[Sitting date: 12 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:14531. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion without notice in relation to the typhoon in the Philippines.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I moveThat the House express its support for the people and Government of the Philippines following TyphoonHaiyan. We expressour solidarity with those waiting for news about friends and family and our condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Over the weekend one of the biggest storms yet recorded hit the Philippines. It caused major damage and affected nearly 10 million people. The scale of the disaster is staggering and a full picture of the destruction and the loss of life is still emerging. The images we are seeing out of the affected areas are deeply harrowing and I know that all New Zealanders will be moved by them. The anguish within our large Filipino community reminds us of how closely this disaster is felt here at home. At this stage we know that more than half a million people have been displaced the death toll is significant and rising and many people are desperately waiting for news about their loved ones.Following the Christchurch earthquakes many New Zealanders were confronted with these same emotions and we know firsthand how difficult the response to and recovery from a major natural disaster can be. What we also learnt from Christchurch is that no country has to face this alone. The international community always stands ready to help. Last night I called President Aquino to personally extend New Zealanders’ condolences and to assure him that we stand ready to assist in any way that we can.Almost immediately after Typhoon Haiyan hit we announced a contribution of $150000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help with the delivery of much-needed relief items. We have now announced a further assistance package totalling $2 million; $750000 of this funding will be delivered via New Zealand non-governmental organisations and the balance will be used to address priorities identified by the Philippines Government and the international humanitarian community. In addition we will be helping to provide disaster management expertise. An official from the NZAID programme will be joining the specialist United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. We have also deployed a senior consular adviser to supplement our embassy consular response to the typhoon. I have made clear our willingness and readiness to provide further assistance if required.Finally I am due to visit the Philippines next week to lead a delegation focused on building business ties and furthering the already very strong relationship between our two countries. One of the areas in which we cooperate closely with the Philippines and other countries of the region is in disaster risk management. Typhoon Haiyan reminds us why this is an ever-relevant and ever-pressing shared challenge. I have spoken to the President and offered to postpone this visit on the grounds that the Philippines Government will be focusing on recovery efforts. We await its response. Again on behalf of this House and of all New Zealanders I extend our condolences to President Aquino and his people at this difficult time. We also pay tribute to the resilience of the Philippines people and of those working to respond to this cyclone.