UN vows to help typhoon victims — DFA

The United Nations has vowed to send assistance to the Philippines after Typhoon Juan (international name: Megi) pummeled parts of northern Luzon, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. A statement on the DFA website said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) assured the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations that it would provide assistance to areas ravaged by the typhoon, the strongest cyclone to hit the country in four years. "We have been able to secure their commitment to assist and support our efforts in helping those affected by typhoon Juan," said Libran Cabactulan, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. According to the DFA statement, OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer Alf Ivar Blikberg told Cabactulan that the OCHA Country Office in the Philippines is already working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). "As in previous natural disasters, OCHA stands ready to provide support as requested by your Government," Blikberg said. Super typhoon Juan made landfall in northern Sierra Madre shortly before noon Monday. At the time, it was packing maximum winds of 225 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and Central Luzon can still expect rains from "Juan" on Tuesday. As of this posting, government officials said the death toll from Juan stood at seven. The typhoon knocked out power and telecommunications lines and caused some roads to become impassable. PAGASA said its projections indicate that "Juan" may not exit Philippine territory until at least Wednesday night or Thursday morning. — Jam Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV