MANILA – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States extended fresh humanitarian aid to the Philippines in response to the recent onslaught of super typhoon Carina and an intensified southwest monsoon (habagat).
The UAE government turned over its donations in a ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on July 30.
The donation included 2,464 packs or bags of milk powder, wheat flour, tea powder, rice, cooking oil, red lentils, peas, dates, juice, oats, tomato paste, sugar, and salt.
The UAE government also provided 4,928 packs and cans of pasta and other basic food items.
Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel thanked the UAE leadership, particularly His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister; and Ambassador UAE Ambassador Mohamed Obaid Alqattam.
"This generous donation from the UAE government is a testament to the deepening bilateral relations between the UAE and the Philippines under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," Yu-Pimentel said.
She said the recent visit of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to the UAE further solidified the strong ties between the two countries.
“We thank (President Marcos) for his decisive leadership and swift action to help our countrymen,” she said.
The turnover was witness by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., and Reichel Quiñones, Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs.
The United States, meanwhile, extended PHP55 million (USD1 million) in humanitarian aid to communities affected by floods.
Announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Manila on July 30, the assistance will address the immediate needs of affected and vulnerable communities in Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, the National Capital Region, and Pampanga.
Through the funding, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and Action Against Hunger, will provide families with access to food aid, hygiene kits, emergency shelter kits, clean water, and one-time cash transfers that will allow them to recover from the disaster safely and with dignity.
“The United States is providing USD1 million to ensure life-saving assistance reaches families across the archipelago who have been devastated by severe flooding and landslides,” USAID Acting Mission Director Betty Chung said.
“We are committed to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover from this disaster.”
Since July 16, USAID has been providing logistical assistance to the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in response to catastrophic floods and rains in Mindanao and Central Luzon.
USAID also supported the International Organization for Migration in distributing 700 shelter-grade tarpaulins and the World Food Programme in transporting 30,000 family food packs to communities in Mindanao.
Typhoon Carina enhanced the southwest monsoon and caused heavy rainfall, massive floods, and landslides across the Philippines that killed at least 14 people and displaced more than 700,000, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) latest assessments.
The USAID has provided over PHP3 billion (USD50 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid for the Philippines since 2021.
It continues to partner with the Philippine government in enhancing disaster resilience in communities across the country.
The NDRRMC said Typhoon Carina, tropical depression Butchoy, and habagat affected 3,628,500 individuals or 971,667 families.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) said it has facilitated the seamless release of the donation from the UAE.
BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Mapa said the goods were processed and turned over to the receiving agencies without delay, exemplifying their commitment to swift and effective service during times of crisis.
"The Port is dedicated to ensuring that all humanitarian aid is processed and released without delay. We understand the urgency of the situation and have prioritized the swift clearance of these donations to help those in need as quickly as possible,” she said.
Generous donation
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian thanked the government and the people of UAE for their generous donation.
“Thank you Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and to the People of the United Arab Emirates for the generous donation to the victims of our recent [floods]. As always UAE is the fastest, the first and gives the most,” Gatchalian wrote in his X account.
Gatchalian officially received the donations in a simple turnover ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last Tuesday.
He said the government and people of the UAE have been consistent in helping the Filipino people, especially during disasters and calamities. (PNA)
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