HK Red Cross to give hefty donation for Ondoy victims

As the country approaches the first-year anniversary of tropical cyclone “Ondoy" (Ketsana), which lashed the metropolis and nearby provinces in late September 2009, its many victims stand to benefit from a hefty donation from a most unlikely source: the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC). The Philippine Red Cross said HKRC Acting Head of International and Relief Service Betty Lau is tackling the matter with Philippine Red Cross secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang. “HKRC is in talks with Pang regarding HKRC’s $110,000 donation which will be directed to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Emergency Appeal for Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)," the PRC said in its website, citing a letter from Lau. While the PRC did not clarify if the $110,000 is in US or Hong Kong dollars, a check with the Hong Red Cross website indicates that the amount is in HK dollars. The amount will be directed to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Emergency Appeal for Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy). It added HKRC’s pledge is expected to be completed by this month in time for the first anniversary commemoration of the typhoon relief operations. On September 26 last year, “Ondoy" dumped rains on parts of the country, particularly Metro Manila. Several people were killed in the resulting floods. Lau added she looks forward to a strong bilateral cooperation between HKRC and PRC. In her letter, Lau also thanked the PRC for helping the victims of the Aug. 23 hostage-taking crisis in Manila.—JV, GMANews.TV