10 tons relief goods arrive from Jordan

At least 10 tons of relief goods for victims of tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana) arrived Monday night, all the way from Jordan. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the aid arrived in Manila late Monday night, with Philippine government officials and representatives of Jordan receiving it. Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin formally accepted the donation from the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization. Honorary Consul of Jordan in Manila Michael Ang represented the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the turnover ceremony. Also present during the ceremony was DFA Assistant Secretary Ondoy Catalino Dilem Jr., chairman of the DFA Task Force, and Enrico Fos, coordinator of the DFA Task Force Ondoy for Middle East and Africa King Abdullah II gave orders last Oct. 1 for the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization to dispatch disaster relief aid for victims of Typhoon "Ondoy" to “alleviate the suffering of people affected by the typhoon." "In compliance with the directive of H.M. King Adbullah II, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization immediately put together a disaster relief aid package composed of food, sleeping bags, blankets, shelter boxes, medicines, and other medical supplies. Ten tons of these relief goods arrived in Manila late last night via Etihad Airlines," the DFA said. Meanwhile, support for "Ondoy" victims continued to come from around the world, with almost all sectors of society in Switzerland giving support to the victims of “Ondoy" and typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma). The Swiss government already made available to the Philippine National Red Cross 250,000 Swiss Francs (US$240,000). Caritas Switzerland allotted US$200,000 for the distribution of food products while Medicins San Frontieres (Doctors without Frontiers) Switzerland sent two teams of doctors. Swiss Red Cross is ensuring emergency aid (shelters, household objects, food) amounting to US$300,000.00, the DFA said. Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Ma. Theresa Lazaro collaborated with the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) based in Zurich led by its President Martin Kuenzler of Credit Suisse, and the Philippine Country Officer Martin Kurer of Poledna Boss Kurer Law Firm, requesting Swiss companies active in the Philippines for contributions to the aid operations including clean water, food, candles, medicines, among others. SACC is a private, non-profit association aimed at promoting economic and business relations between Switzerland and Southeast Asia based on reciprocal benefit. The Chamber is composed of CEOs of Swiss companies doing business in Southeast Asia. SACC is also cooperating with Swiss Solidarity (Glueckskette), a prominent Swiss institution managed by Swiss mainstream media on the same efforts. The Philippine Swiss Business Council based in Manila also expressed support of SACC’s initiative. “This is the first time that the Swiss business sector in Switzerland mobilized its membership for such an endeavor in coordination with the other NGOs and it is very heartening that all sectors of the Swiss society are giving their support to the Philippines in our times of need," Lazaro said. Material, spiritual donations Meanwhile, Filipinos in Lebanon and Indonesia sent both material and spiritual donations to their countrymen who fell victim to tropical storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma). The DFA said the Filipino community in Lebanon organized cash donations for victims of “Ondoy" and “Pepeng." Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, the DFA said Filipinos in Antelias led by Dante and Beth Tagudin gave money at the second collection during mass last Sunday at St. Elie Church. The money will be forwarded to the Philippine National Red Cross. Even Lebanese nationals such as Pierre Khoury gave US$333 (P15,482) during the second collection. Fr. Theo Vlugt, who celebrated the Sunday mass, encouraged Filipinos to make their donations for the flood victims and led Filipinos in offering prayers for the victims. The DFA said the Filipinos will again make donations at the second collection during the next Sunday mass at the St. Elie Church. Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Gilberto Asuque, accompanied by Vice Consul Bernadette Mendoza, joined the Filipino community during the Sunday mass and thanked them for their donation. Asuque, accompanied by Philippine officials, met officers and members of the Philippine Basketball League in Lebanon (Philball), to brief them on relief operations for the victims of the typhoons and on the arrangement for the sending of donations. Philball officers are considering their donation for the victims of the typhoons. Similarly, Filipinos at the Sunday mass at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Hamra offered prayers for the victims and gave their donations during the second collection. The El Shaddai chapter there organized the donations for cash and other relief items, which will be conducted during all the Filipino Sunday masses in October. It will remit the donation to their chosen charitable organization. Cash donations Also last Sunday, Filipinos at the St. Joseph’s Church in Tabaris donated cash during the second collection for the typhoon victims. Fr. Martin McDermott, who celebrated the Sunday mass, led the congregation in prayers for the victims of the typhoon and also invited Filipinos to give during the second collection. In Indonesia, meanwhile, the Filipino community in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Bandung met on how to send their help to their countrymen in need back home. Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Vidal Querol e-mailed Filipinos in Indonesia to contribute to a fund drive. Assisting him were Filipino community leaders. The initial contribution reached US$5,000 (P232,475), which was remitted Monday to the Philippine National Red Cross and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. - GMANews.TV