Foreign donations pour in for victims

Foreign donations pour in for victims
(The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2009 12:00 AM
http://208.184.76.178/Article.aspx?articleId=509833&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nations has responded to the Philippines’ appeal for international humanitarian assistance in the wake of massive devastation wrought by tropical storm “Ondoy” over the weekend.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the UN is preparing the issuance of a flash appeal for emergency assistance from both member states and non-government organizations.

The Philippine Mission to the United Nations said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo met yesterday with the Secretary General to convey President Arroyo’s appeal for international humanitarian assistance.
Romulo also met with Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes at the UN Headquarters shortly after the President issued her appeal for international assistance, through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

“We are heartened by the assurances given by the Secretary General and the Undersecretary General that the United Nations will take positive action on our request for assistance,” said Romulo, who was accompanied in the meeting by Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and Ambassador Libran Cabactulan.

Romulo said the Secretary General expressed his sympathy and condolences to the Philippine government and to the families of the more than 140 people who perished in the floods that also displaced more than 500,000 people in Metro Manila and 25 other provinces.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) also said yesterday it will support relief efforts by the Philippine government by providing vital food rations to around 180,000 Filipinos who are struggling to cope with the impact of Ondoy.

Foreign financial aid

The Australian government, through will give up to A$1 million (about P40 million) in aid to the Philippines as it faces a humanitarian crisis caused by the worst flooding in decades, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday.

“Australia’s contribution will help with the relief operations of both the Philippine Government and the Philippine National Red Cross, including providing emergency supplies of drinking water, food, clothing, hygiene kits and related essential items,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.

The South Korean government pledged to donate $300,000 worth of relief goods to victims of Ondoy.
Aside from the South Korean government, the chairman and chief executive officer of the South Korean firm OCI Co. Lee Soo-young donated $50,000 cash to the Philippine National Red Cross.

The European Commission is also providing 2 million euros (P140 million) assistance to Ondoy’s victims.
The Chinese government also pledged $100,000 to the relief efforts. This is in addition to the $10,000 donated by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and $30,000 donated by Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc. to the Philippine National Red Cross.

Mobilizing resources

Filipinos across the United States are likewise mobilizing resources to mount an effective humanitarian response for their unfortunate compatriots at home. 

The National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFA) issued an appeal for cash or goods for typhoon victims.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa said donations could be coursed through the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The Asian American Initiative, a US-based NGO with major humanitarian programs throughout the Philippines, is working closely with the AmeriCares aid organization to step up shipments of antibiotics and oral rehydration tablets for waterborne diseases.

AmeriCares recently shipped $3.2-million worth of medical aid to the Philippines including painkillers, syringes, medical supplies, hand sanitizers and other lifesaving medications which it said could be used to help survivors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also committed yesterday to donate some $42,000 (P2 million) for the victims of Ondoy.

Aid pours in

The PLDT Group of Companies, including PLDT, Smart, ePLDT and PLDT Smart Foundation, said it has given P10 million worth of aid to victims of Ondoy.

The Davao City government also extended at least P10 million in assistance.

From the Ayala Group, Globe has pledged P1 million each to ABS-CBN and GMA-7, P1 million to Gawad Kalinga, and P2 million worth of goods to Net25, DSWD, and direct to families in Marikina and Rizal areas. It has also set up Libreng Tawag services and hotlines plus Donate-A-Load services for Red Cross. Ayala Aviation has also made a helicopter available to the Red Cross for its rescue and relief efforts.

Nacionalista Party president Sen. Manny Villar said the Tulong Villar Relief Assistance for the victims of Ondoy has delivered 4,023 packs of goods and rescued or transported 3,750 people, bringing the total to 44,773 helped.

“Time is of utmost importance and we want to reach as many people or communities as possible. We have 40 teams dispatched in badly affected areas to provide more help and assistance. Many volunteers are also helping our team’s efforts,” Villar said.

People who need relief and assistance can call the 24-hour Tulong Villar Assistance Hotlines: 0905-3316626 and 0917-4226800.

Meanwhile, evacuees are appealing for sanitary napkins, disposable underwear and diapers to also be included in donations.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies through its 2GO outlets is accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy.
SM Foundation has also activated its calamity response program Operation Tulong Express with donation kiosks set up in all 33 malls nationwide, for the same purpose, while McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila have partnered with ABS-CBN to accept relief goods and donations.

Emergency loans

Government employees in areas affected by Ondoy can apply for emergency loans with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the pension fund for state workers, starting Oct. 1.

GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia announced yesterday that it has allotted P5 billion for the emergency loan program.

Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Noli de Castro also proposed during a Cabinet meeting yesterday the immediate release of government workers’ year-end bonus to help those affected by Ondoy. – Pia Lee-Brago, Jose Katigbak (STAR Washington bureau), Evelyn Macairan, Reinir Padua, Sheila Crisostomo, Edith Regalado, Mayen Jaymalin, Iris Gonzales