Cyclones prompt RP to postpone NAM inter-faith meet
10/24/2009 | 01:26 PM
Citing the damage caused by recent tropical cyclones, the Philippine government postponed for 2010 a special inter-faith ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will set a date for the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.
"We believe all hands must be on deck in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the lives and communities of our countrymen. Therefore, all must focus their efforts and resources on this major and substantial task," the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA noted the meeting was initially scheduled this December in Manila.
It said it already consulted "friends and partners" in NAM through Egypt, which chairs the NAM Coordinating Bureau in New York.
NAM earlier chose the Philippines to host the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.
"While we remain committed to the cause of peace through interfaith dialogue, our priority now should be the immediate and long term needs of our people," the DFA said.
Tropical cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) had caused at least 929 deaths after lashing several parts of Luzon since September 26.
"Providing relief and assistance to the thousands of victims is the priority in the short term. In the long term, more needs to be done to rebuild the lives and bring reconstruction and rehabilitation to the communities ravaged by Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng)," the DFA
said.
"We are confident our partners and friends, who have been helping us in our hour of distress brought about by the calamities, will understand our decision to move the holding of the SNAMMM to an appropriate date next year," it added. - GMANews.TV
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will set a date for the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.
"We believe all hands must be on deck in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the lives and communities of our countrymen. Therefore, all must focus their efforts and resources on this major and substantial task," the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA noted the meeting was initially scheduled this December in Manila.
It said it already consulted "friends and partners" in NAM through Egypt, which chairs the NAM Coordinating Bureau in New York.
NAM earlier chose the Philippines to host the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.
"While we remain committed to the cause of peace through interfaith dialogue, our priority now should be the immediate and long term needs of our people," the DFA said.
Tropical cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) had caused at least 929 deaths after lashing several parts of Luzon since September 26.
"Providing relief and assistance to the thousands of victims is the priority in the short term. In the long term, more needs to be done to rebuild the lives and bring reconstruction and rehabilitation to the communities ravaged by Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng)," the DFA
said.
"We are confident our partners and friends, who have been helping us in our hour of distress brought about by the calamities, will understand our decision to move the holding of the SNAMMM to an appropriate date next year," it added. - GMANews.TV
