DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the support extended by other countries in the wake of Typhoon Odette’s (international name: Rai) onslaught, saying the Philippines has been “getting a lot of assistance.”
“We’re really deeply grateful for the instant response from the United States, especially, and our friends abroad,” Locsin said in a joint presser with US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava.
Locsin and Variava held the briefing after the US Embassy announced an additional P950 million in humanitarian assistance to help communities battered by the typhoon.
Variava said the United States would continue to partner with the Philippines to strengthen its natural disaster response and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts.
She also mentioned the contributions made by US companies, including McDonald’s, which has provided 20,000 meals; Coca-Cola, with more than 26,000 liters of water; and Procter & Gamble, which provided P800,000 worth of hygiene products through the Philippine Coast Guard.
“During this year of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries, the United States remains as committed as ever to working alongside our friends, partners, and allies in the Philippines to respond to the devastating impact of Typhoon Odette, and bring much-needed relief and assistance to the Filipinos whose lives have been upended,” Variava said.
Generosity
Aside from the United States, Locsin said Australia, Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Singapore, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar also sent assistance to the Philippines.
China also donated P1 million worth of bottled drinking water to be distributed to the families of those hit by the storm.
Also on Wednesday, the Taiwanese Compatriot Association in the Philippines formally donated P2 million to assist in the country’s relief efforts, through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.
Locsin also mentioned the help extended by the European Union, the World Health Organization, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
“This kind of generosity will continue and we are doing our best here to make sure that the relief is efficiently distributed,” the secretary assured.