Typhoon Haiyan-Battered Philippines Thankful for Foreign Aid
Typhoon Haiyan-battered Philippines accepted downpour of foreign aid to help the country alleviate devastation suffered due to typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
On Sunday, Australia and New Zealand bestowed US $490,000 aid. Both countries pledged to give additional donation in the coming days, AFP reported.
Wellington gave US$ 124,000 and Canberra donated US $366,000.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop expressed sadness by the wreckage and life lost due to typhoon Haiyan.
"We're immediately providing pre-positioned emergency supplies, including sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, water containers and health and hygiene kits for families devastated by the typhoon," Ms Bishop said.
"Two Australian disaster experts are already on the ground assisting the Philippine government and the United Nations to conduct a rapid needs assessment in those areas worst affected... we stand ready to provide further assistance if required", she added.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced that the government had directly made its contribution to the Philippine Red Cross to support the organisation's emergency supplies and to continue its research and assessments of casualties in the Philippines.
According to a local report from Philstar.com, the United Kingdom provided aid amounting to PHP 414 million to hasten relief and rescue operations particularly to the area mostly devastated by typhoon Haiyan.
The Visayas region of the Philippines alone had an estimated 10,000 fatalities.
"On behalf of the Government and the people of the UK we offer our sincere condolences, support and friendship at this most trying time," as announced by the British Embassy in the Philippines.
Justine Greening, UK's secretary for overseas development, said that UK had already given an initial donation worth PHP 276 million.
Canada, meanwhile, gave C$5 million to aid organisations in providing emergency shelter, food, water, livelihood support and other essential services.
The World Bank had also extended help to the Philippines. It expressed its deepest condolences and sympathies to the Filipinos and assured that it "stand ready to help in any way we can."
On Sunday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also expressed his compassion to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.
Mr Barrosso said that the European Commission "stand ready to contribute with urgent relief and assistance if so required in this hour of need."