UAE expresses solidarity with Philippines over Typhoon Odette victims

  DUBAI – The UAE has expressed condolences and solidarity with the Philippines over the victims of Typhoon Odette (international name Rai). The death toll from the super typhoon climbed to 375 on Tuesday (December 21), according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Typhoon Odette swept through several central and southern areas in the Philippines on December 16, causing hundreds of fatalities and leaving thousands of people homeless. In its aftermath, 12 cities and municipalities were placed under a state of calamity, including Cebu, Palawan, Bohol, Siargao, and Dinagat Islands. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Philippines government and victims’ families over this enormous loss, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The highest number of deaths was recorded in the Central Visayas region with 170 casualties, said Police Colonel Rhoderick Alba, PNP spokesperson. As of Tuesday, 56 people remained missing while 515 have been listed as injured in the aftermath of the most destructive typhoon to hit the country after Yolanda in 2013. Some 99,568 individuals are still seeking shelter in evacuation shelters, according to the PNP. The damage to infrastructure in regions hit by Typhoon Odette has reached nearly P449 million as of Tuesday, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported.

Foreign aid, goods pour in for Odette-hit Philippines

Meanwhile, Canada, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have pledged to provide over P187.9 million to assist provinces hit hard by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. Countries like China, the United States, Japan, Israel, and Australia have also allocated goods for immediate deployment to the affected families. Canadian Minister for International Development Harjit Sajjan announced that Ottawa will extend up to CAD3 million (approximately P118.7 million) in assistance, including CAD500,000 for the urgent Red Cross response. The United Kingdom has pledged GBP750,000 (approximately P49.47 million) to the Philippine Red Cross, which will be coursed through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) "to help support those in desperate need of assistance". The New Zealand government, meanwhile, will donate NZD500,000 (approximately P16.77 million) to the Philippines to support the IFRC's efforts on the ground. Hungary is sending HUF20 million (approximately P3.05 million) to the typhoon victims and to help restore the damaged churches in Cebu. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said about 20,000 food packages worth around P8 million are on their way to Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao City, Negros Oriental, and other provinces hit by Odette. At the same time, 4.7 million kilograms of Chinese government-donated rice are already in different Philippine ports, of which 1.5 million kg. are in Cebu and 3.2 million kg. are in Manila for deployment. "Chinese relief goods on their way to areas devastated by Typhoon Odette. Our hearts go out to all the Filipino families who were devastated by Typhoon Odette which has caused massive casualties as well as property loss," Huang said Tuesday. The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) is likewise contributing a total of PHP12 million through its Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund. The Israeli Embassy in Manila in a text message said Ambassador Ilan Fluss is also flying to Cebu to deliver solar panels, food packs, and hygiene kits to typhoon-affected residents on December 22. Last week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with the support of the Australian government, sent about 1,000 solar lamps, 1,000 mosquito nets, 1,000 plastic tarps, and 200 plastic sheets to augment the government-led relief operations on the ground and help displaced families in the severely affected islands of Siargao and Dinagat. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), together with the World Food Programme and the Philippine government, has deployed two mobile operations vehicles for emergency to Surigao and Ormoc to facilitate access to electricity and internet for responders on the ground. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said Tokyo is also sending disaster relief assistance in the form of generators, camping tents, sleeping pads, portable water containers; and plastic sheets to cover roofs. ICA/PNA/Expat Media
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