RP embassy in Rome sends team to L'Aquila
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/07/2009 8:03 PM
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A team from the Philippine Embassy has been dispatched to provide assistance to Filipinos in L’Aquila who were affected by the powerful earthquake which hit Italy on Monday.
The RP embassy in Rome said it has sent a team composed of Labor Attaché Manuel Roldan and Welfare Officer Andelyn Gregorio to the earthquake-affected region of Abruzzo.
L’Aquila is the capital of Abruzzo and is approximately two to three hours away from Rome.
On Tuesday, the foreign affairs department in Manila was informed by the embassy that a Filipino allegedly sustained minor injuries on the hand and face. However, the post is still verifying the said report.
It was learned that affected Filipinos have been advised to go to the emergency center organized by the Civil Protection Office.
The Civil Protection Office has been tasked by the Italian government to provide medical, food, shelter, and other services to those affected by the earthquake.
Also, the embassy received information that the small group of Filipinos who earlier stayed at an area in Cansatessa to seek shelter has already left for the emergency center.
Earlier reports stated that more than a hundred Filipinos have been displaced by the deadly earthquake.
Consul Emmanuel Fernandez of the Philippine Embassy in Rome said there are at least 129 Filipinos living in the city of L'Aquila, which was struck by a 6.3 earthquake, and a total of 330 Filipinos are living in central Italy.
A Reuters report said more than 150 people have died and 250 have been reported missing. More than 1,500 people were injured.
The quake struck shortly after 3.30 a.m. Monday, catching residents in their sleep and flattening houses, ancient churches and other buildings in 26 cities and towns.
Fernandez said people living in buildings were advised to evacuate to avoid more tragedy. Reports from ANC’s News@8 and Reuters
