More foreign aid pours in for typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - Aid continued to pour in yesterday for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda as nations all over the world expressed admiration for the resilience of the Filipino people.

US embassy Charge d’Affaires Brian Goldbeck announced the availability of $100,000 to provide health, water and sanitation to those affected by the typhoon.

 The embassy said a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team was scheduled to fly to Manila yesterday to conduct a needs assessment.

 A separate group from the United States Agency for International Development’s Disaster Assistance and Response Team was organized to conduct surveys in the Philippines, Goldbeck said.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, meanwhile, said in a message to President Aquino that the EC had sent a team to assist the Philippines and that “we stand ready to contribute with urgent relief and assistance if so required in this hour of need.”

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon offered his condolences and said UN humanitarian agencies were working closely with the Philippine government to respond rapidly with emergency assistance.

UNICEF estimated that about 1.7 million children are living in areas affected by the typhoon, according to the agency’s representative in the Philippines Tomoo Hozumi.

The agency’s supply division in Copenhagen was loading 60 metric tons of relief supplies for an emergency airlift expected to arrive in the Philippines tomorrow.

Australia donates P15.5 M

The Australian government provided an initial P15.5 million ($390,500) in emergency relief supplies to communities devastated by Yolanda.

 â€œAustralia, as a close friend of the Philippines, is saddened by the loss of life and damage to homes and property in the wake of this tragedy,” Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop said yesterday.

 Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell said the country would provide sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets and water containers through the Philippine Red Cross as well as reproductive health kits through the United Nations Population Fund.

 â€œI admire the resilience and courage that Filipinos demonstrate under extreme pressure. Australia is coordinating with the Philippine government and other humanitarian partners on how we can further assist with this relief effort, and we stand ready to provide further assistance if required,” Tweddell said in a statement.

 He said two Australian disaster experts were deployed to assist the Philippines and the UN in conducting a rapid needs assessment in affected areas.

Canada extends help

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced on Saturday that Canada would provide $5 million to support humanitarian organizations helping the victims of typhoon.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harpen on Friday expressed his sympathies to the victims of Yolanda.

Filipino Canadian Sen. Tobias Enverga Jr. also condoled with the families of those who have lost their loved ones.

UK gives P414-M aid

The United Kingdom extended financial assistance amounting to P414 million (six million euros) to the typhoon victims.

 Justine Greening, UK’s Secretary for Overseas Development, said the funding would be used to provide humanitarian aid for up to 500,000 people, including temporary shelter and access to clean water.

“My thoughts are with the people of the Philippines, and in particular with those who have lost their loved ones,” Greening said.

China expresses sympathy

The Chinese embassy yesterday expressed its sympathies to the typhoon victims.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the massive destruction caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda. We would like to express our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the victims and the families that have suffered immense losses,” it said in a statement. “We hope for the recovery of the affected areas and for the survivors to overcome this challenge and rebuild their lives.”

– With Joseph Lariosa, AP