President Benigno Aquino III
MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino on Friday asked Filipinos to share their Yuletide blessings with the victims of Tropical Storm ‘’Sendong’’ and ‘’make them feel they are not alone.’’
“My only wish for each one of you: don’t hesitate to share our blessings. Let us not hesitate to offer a good deed,” he added. “Let us make them feel that they are not alone. Let us make them feel they are part of a bigger family.”
The President noted that instead of having a sumptuous Christmas dinner, thousands of families in the devastated areas like Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Dumaguete cites remained cramped in evacuation centers with harrowing memories of last week’s tragedy.
Mr. Aquino made the appeal through Malacanang’s traditional Christmas message, released two days in advance, even as the government received more international aid for the calamity victims.
An Emirates Air flight from Dubai carrying more relief goods from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Friday night.
The fresh shipment, which was formally received by the President’s celebrity sister and UNHCR honorary patron for the Philippines, Kris Aquino, includes blankets, jerrycans for water, and kitchen utensils.
“It’s now my first official duty as patron of the UNHCR so I am grateful to them for gathering rebuilding materials and primary non-perishable needs for the affected families,” Aquino said. ‘’In UNHCR, we believe one refugee without hope is too many,” she added.
Bernard Kerblat, UNHCR’s representative in the Philippines, said the agency was also rushing the transport of plastic tarpaulin and other essential household items. The next shipments may be expected between today and Dec. 26.
The US Embassy in Manila said Washington was providing $100,000 (P4.1 million) to support the disaster relief efforts.
“On behalf of the US government and the American people, I extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to those who have suffered the tragic loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods due to floods caused by Tropical Storm Sendong,” US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said in a statement.
“From our discussions with the Philippine authorities, it appears that among the immediate needs of flood-affected communities are nonfood emergency supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and containers for potable water, so the United States’ initial contribution in this instance will be used to provide these types of items to the most-affected individuals in Mindanao,” he said.
The governments of Indonesia and Denmark also gave cash donations of $10,000 and 300,000 Danish krones, respectively, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.