Int'l aid for typhoon victims over P566-M
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/02/2009 1:20 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
MANILA – Relief and rehabilitation assistance from the international community has reached more than P500 million, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported.
“The Philippine Government is deeply appreciative of our international partners’ swift response to our call for aid,” said DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo.
As of October 2, the total relief and rehabilitation assistance in actual donations and commitments from the country’s international partners is over P566 million.
Romulo said the DFA said it will work with the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Social Work and Development and the Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies to ensure that the donations reach distressed Filipinos.
In his report to President Arroyo, Romulo said that the European Union expressed sympathy to and solidarity with the government and the victims of the recent calamity that hit the country.
A needs assessment team was dispatched by the EU to identify the humanitarian needs of those affected by the typhoon and also earmarked Є2 million (P138 million) in urgent relief funding for this purpose.
The French Foreign Ministry has given an initial Є10,000 (P690,000) to the Philippine National Red Cross as its initial contribution while Germany is providing Є500,000 (roughly P35 million) in emergency humanitarian aid for the victims, the funds of which will be placed at the disposal of German humanitarian aid organizations.
The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines has been authorized to immediately advance Є150,000 (approximately P10 million) for food aid. Other urgent assistance amounting to Є250,000 (approximately P17 million) is also being sent through the Red Cross and the NGO Accion Contra el Hambre. Spain’s total contribution amounting to Є1 million (P69 million) will help alleviate the situation of the victims of typhoon “Ondoy.”
The Swiss government also made available the amount of CHF250,000 (approximately P11 million) to support emergency related operation which will be funded by the Swiss Red Cross to the Philippine National Red Cross.
The combined European aid total P254 million.
Countries in other region and international organizations, notably UN agencies, have similarly lent assistance.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon assured Secretary Romulo in New York assistance from the UN and the international community. The UN World Food Program, UN Children’s Fund, World Health Organization and the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance are already in action in affected areas.
Earlier, the US government donated US$100,000 for relief efforts. China pitched in US$100,000 check donation; US$10,000 to the PNRC; while Chinese firm Huawei donated US$30,000. Singapore raised US$30,000 and a further US$20,000 in seed money to jumpstart a donations drive by the Singapore Red Cross.
The Japanese government is sending $220,000 worth of relief goods to the Philippines. Australia committed Australian$1 million (approximately US$879,000) to support response and recovery activities. The UN World Health Organization has launched earlier a $42,000 relief fund.
The Republic of Korea has donated emergency relief assistance in the form of rice, tents, medical supplies and other essential items worth $300,000 coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A Korean company, OCI Company Ltd., also donated $50,000 through the Philippine National Red Cross.
The Canadian government has pledged Canadian$5 million (approximately US$4.7 million). The officers and staff of the Embassy of Canada in Manila raised funds among themselves and friends and donated $50,000 for the victims of the tropical storm.
Comments