Canada gives P220-million aid for 'Ondoy' victims

MANILA, Philippines - Canada will provide up to five-million Canadian dollars or P220 million in humanitarian assistance for victims of tropical storm “Ondoy,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said yesterday.

Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda announced the Canadian government is making the allocation available in response to the needs of people affected by the storm.

“Canadians are deeply concerned for the people of the Philippines who are suffering the effects of Ketsana (Ondoy),” said Oda.

“We are working closely with our partners in the region to determine how best we can help the affected populations.”

The new assistance followed an initial contribution from the Embassy of Canada in Manila of P2.2 million given earlier this week to the Philippine National Red Cross for the purchase of basic food and essential non-food items for 3,500 families in Marikina City and Rizal.

The Provincial Government of Manitoba is also sending Cdn$100,000 or P4.4 million to support relief efforts.

“I am pleased to be able to offer support on behalf of the Province in this time of great need,” said Manitoba Premier Gary Doer.

Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon earlier expressed his sympathies to the Filipino people following the widespread flooding, loss of life and extensive damage brought by the storm.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer condolences to those who have lost friends or family members in this tragic natural disaster,” said Cannon.

Canada is home to more than 400,000 Filipinos and Canadians of Philippine descent.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has also allocated an additional $1 million in emergency assistance for the Philippines, bringing its total assistance to $1.1 million.

The USAID said the additional funding would provide emergency grants to humanitarian organizations already working in the affected areas to help meet the immediate needs of flood victims.

USAID has also dispatched two disaster response experts to Manila to assess flood impacts and facilitate US assistance.

The US Department of Defense has provided equipment, transport, and logistics support, including a helicopter and six Zodiac boats for movement of supplies for relief and recovery efforts.

As the lead federal agency for the provision of international disaster response, the USAID, working alongside the US Embassy in Manila, continues to monitor the situation and stands prepared to provide additional assistance if necessary, US embassy officials said.

Meanwhile, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) announced that it would donate P1 million to flood victims in support of its Philippine associate, Globe Telecom.

Globe will also contribute P1 million to the fund, making it P2 million.

The fund will be used to distribute 10,000 relief packs containing essential items such as food and water to families in affected communities in Marikina and Rizal, said SingTel officials.                                                                     — Pia Lee-Brago