UN assures help for ‘Ondoy’-stricken RP

The United Nations (UN), through Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, has assured the Philippines of assistance in the wake of the massive devastation brought about by tropical storm "Ondoy" (international name Ketsana). “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 Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo after meeting with Ban and Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes at the UN Headquarters on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).

Romulo said the UN chief expressed his sympathy and condolences to the Philippine government and to those who have lost their homes and their loved ones because of the tropical storm. He said the international body is “considering" issuing a flash appeal for emergency assistance from both member states and non-government organizations. Holmes, who heads the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), said their personnel have already been assisting in relief operations in Manila. But he said additional people based in Bangkok, Thailand are also on their way to the Philippines to assess the situation and give recommendations on the kind of assistance that is required. In addition, the undersecretary said they are looking into the possibility of utilizing the Central Emergency Response Fund – a fund established by the UN to enable “more timely and reliable" humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts. He did, however, express concern over a weather disturbance approaching the country. But Romulo said he has already coordinated with the UN resident coordinator in Manila for assistance in anticipation of this. He said he specifically requested for emergency supplies, generators, food, and drinking water. The last time the UN coordinated international assistance for the Philippines was when typhoons Milenyo, Reming, and Senyang devastated the Bicol Region in 2007. Earlier, the US government gave the Philippines an additional $50,000 (roughly P2.3 million) aid to help the country deal with the effects of Ondoy. On Saturday, Ondoy battered Metro Manila and several provinces in the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions with its total rainfall accounting for the most in recorded history, surpassing the previous record for the metropolis in 1967. - GMANews.TV