MEMBERS of the local diplomatic community have separately offered sympathies and humanitarian aid to the people of Mindanao following the series of earthquakes that hit parts of the island-region late in October and November.
Ambassador of Australia Steven Robinson said Canberra is in solidarity with Filipinos, particularly those displaced by the powerful tremors.
“Our thoughts are with the people affected by the earthquakes that hit Mindanao…. The DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] is deploying Australian-gifted humanitarian supplies to those in need,” Robinson said.
The DSWD has so far deployed AU$144,000, or approximately P5.4 million, worth of relief supplies from the “Land Down Under,” prepositioned at their National Resource Operations Center to field offices in Regions 11 (Davao) and 12 (Soccsksargen).
According to its embassy in Manila, the prepositioning of relief supplies is part of a broader partnership between Australia and the DSWD to enhance the agency’s disaster-response capabilities.
“These supplies consist of 9,440 trapals [laminated sacks] for temporary shelter, as well as 400 solar lamps,” it said.
For its part, Austria’s Embassy in Manila also relayed its message of sympathy over the weekend to the families of those who perished in the earthquakes.
“My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the recent earthquakes in Mindanao. To all those in the affected communities, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you,” Ambassador Bita Rasoulian said.
Meanwhile, the European Union, in a statement, said: “We are very saddened by the devastation and loss of [lives] caused by the earthquake which hit Mindanao. The EU Delegation to the Philippines stands in solidarity with the Filipino people in this difficult time.”
In his message on November 2, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made an assurance that the People’s Republic of China is willing to offer assistance to the Philippines within its capacity, “and believes that under the strong leadership of Philippine government, [Filipinos] will overcome the disaster and return to normal life at an early date.”
China had earlier announced its donation of about P22 million in humanitarian aid to ease the effects of the earthquakes which, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, has already resulted in at least 37,716 families affected, and more than 30,000 infrastructures damaged.
Aid for Digos
IN relation, China has sent a team to deliver truckloads of assistance to earthquake victims in Digos City on November 8.
Chinese Consul General Li Lin, accompanied by a delegation of Chinese volunteers, arrived with two 10-wheeler wing van trucks which carried approximately 4,000 packs of relief goods.
Mayor Josef F. Cagas received the assistance in a turnover rite at the Gallarde Hall, where the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council command post is based.
Li said the cargo was part of the first batch of relief assistance from the Chinese government, and that another 4,000 packs of food items will be coming in the following day.
He said they are also willing to work with local officials in the rehabilitation of the city through the provision of medical services, potable water and building of sewage facilities.
“We will try our best [and] whatever we can to help the people of Digos City, since we can see that local officials are very enthusiastic in helping the victims through efficient delivery of relief assistance,” Li said.
For the part of the Davao del Sur capital, Cagas said the local government is now focusing on helping families who are currently living outside of their homes.
‘Friends of suffering humanity’
MEANWHILE, Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), has knocked on the hearts of the different ambassadors posted in the country, as he requested for donations to be given to the families affected by the recent disasters.
After he hosted a fund-raising dinner, Gordon told the diplomats, as well as representatives of the different embassies present in the event that the PRC is trying to raise funds to cope up with the different catastrophes, such as earthquakes, floods, typhoons and others.
“Right now, we’re trying to make sure that we generate more resources, because there’s just too many disasters occurring. A lot of people are in need of help. All of you should be a friend of suffering humanity. Sometimes, we deal with problems here in a way that first-world countries would deal with differently,” he said.
During the dinner, Gordon showed the different humanitarian assistance provided by the Red Cross, and pointed out that the foremost humanitarian organization in the country raises funds in various ways to ensure it could extend whatever assistance is needed.
“We raise money; if you go to an MRT [Metro Rail Transit] or LRT [Light Rail Transit] [station, there are always tin cans] where people can drop coins. That’s just one of our sources of funds. We have donors, too. It’s always a partnership. The Red Cross strategy is to be the preferred partner of choice by everyone,” he said.
Present at the fund-raising dinner were Ambassadors Anke Reiffenstuel of Germany, Bjorn Staurset Jahnsen of Norway, Songkane Luangmuninthone of Lao PDR, Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng of Thailand, Harald Fries of Sweden and Artemiz Sumer of Turkey. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Eldie Aguirre/PNA, with a statement from the Senate
Image credits: PNA/Eldie Aguirre