UN assured RP of international assistance
Posted on September 30th, 2009
The United Nations Secretary, through its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon gave assurance to the Philippine government of international humanitarian assistance to the country in the wake of the widespread and massive devastation caused by typhoon Ondoy over the weekend.
This was relayed by Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo who said that the UN chief gave his assurance during their meeting that UN headquarters in New York Monday (Tuesday morning in Manila) when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s appeal for international aid was conveyed.
The foreign affairs secretary said he met with Ban and Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes at the UN Headquarters shortly after the Arroyo issued her appeal through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman.
The UN secretary general in response said the UN is considering issuing a flash appeal for emergency assistance from both member states and non-government organizations. “We are heartened by the assurances given by the Secretary General and the Undersecretary General that the United Nations will take positive action on our request for assistance,†Romulo said.
Ban also sent his sympathy and condolences to the Philippine government and to the families of those who were affected by the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.
Holmes, who is also the head of the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (Ocha), in his meeting with Romulo said that his agency is ready to coordinate international humanitarian assistance. He is also looking into the possibility of utilizing the Central Emergency Response Fund – a humanitarian fund established by the UN to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.
Ocha personnel are also assisting in relief operations in Manila. Additional personnel based in Bangkok will fly to the Philippines to assess the situation and give recommendation on the kind of assistance required.
Meanwhile, the NDCC said, the country is in need of emergency supplies, generators food and drinking water, in anticipation of another storm approaching the country.
