Foreign aid pours in for ‘Ondoy’ victims

Foreign assistance for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" have reached half-a-billion pesos, with Canada and the European Commission donating a big part of the amount. Canada pledged up to five million Canadian dollars (about P220 million) for disaster response and immediate relief for Ondoy victims.

“Canadians are deeply concerned for the people of the Philippines who are suffering the effects of storm Ondoy. We are working closely with our partners in the region to determine how best we can help the affected populations," said Canada’s Minister for International Cooperation, Beverley J. Oda. The Embassy of Canada in Manila made an initial contribution of CA$50,000 (around P2.2 million) early this week to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for the purchase of basic food and essential non-food items for 3,500 families in Marikina City and Rizal province. The provincial government of Manitoba in central Canada said it is also sending CA$100,000 (about P4.4 million) in support of relief efforts. “I am pleased to be able to offer support on behalf of the Province in this time of great need," said Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the EC delegation in Manila, said the commission earmarked two million euros (almost P138 million) in urgent relief funding for the Philippines. On Saturday, Ondoy battered Metro Manila and several provinces in the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions with rains that surpassed the previous record for the metropolis in 1967. “What I saw across Manila at the weekend, on television and with my own eyes, was a shocking illustration of how quickly a storm can bring tragedy in its wake. The volume of water brought by Ondoy has stretched the coping capacity of the affected towns and cities to the utmost, and the EC, together with other international partners, has responded quickly to the government’s appeal," he said in a statement. Germany, which is a member of the European Union, donated an additional 500,000 euros (more than P34 million) for the Philippine government’s relief efforts as it conveyed its condolences to the victims of Ondoy. “Germany is prepared to provide humanitarian aid in order to help the people affected by the disaster return to a normal life as quickly as possible," said German President Horst Köhler in a telegram sent to Malacañang. Japan provided 20 million yen (almost P10.5 million) worth of relief goods for those affected by the floods, while China gave a check amounting to US$100,000 (more than P4.7 million). Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao echoed the sentiment of Alistair on Wednesday when he handed the check to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin. The Chinese Embassy had earlier donated $10,000 (more than P470,000) to the PNRC. The Chinese company Huawei Techonologies Philippines, on the other hand, gave the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) a cheque amounting to $30,000 (more than P1.4 million). Earlier, the US government offered $100,000 (more than P4.7 million) in assistance to 'Ondoy' victims. The US Embassy in Manila said the donation would be delivered to the PNRC by the US Agency for International Development. “Damage caused by this storm is heartbreaking," said United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney, adding that they would coordinate with local officials to determine what other forms of assistance they could provide the victims of the tropical storm. US Navy personnel have also been helping in rescue and relief missions in flooded villages in Metro Manila and Rizal. France, another member of the European Union, offered to the Philippine government an emergency fund worth 10,000 euros (almost P700,000). Earlier, the United Nations also assured the Philippines of humanitarian assistance after Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued instructions to all Philippine embassies and consulates to facilitate the immediate processing of donations and assistance from the international community, including overseas Filipino community groups, to the victims of Ondoy. - GMANews.TV