Britain to give long-term support to Phl

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Britain will give the long-term support that the Philippines needs to get back on its feet after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

British International Development Secretary Justine Greening made this announcement after she arrived here yesterday afternoon to oversee the distribution of relief goods from the United Kingdom to typhoon victims in the Visayas and to help coordinate international humanitarian efforts.

Greening visited Roxas City after she arrived at Mactan Benito Ebuern Air Base. She is also expected to visit typhoon-ravaged Tacloban City today to meet Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.

Last week, British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said that heavy equipment from Britain arrived here to help the Philippine government in clearing roads.

The C17 of the Royal British Air Force also transported construction materials for the Philippine government’s rehabilitation efforts.

US lawmakers: Phl can count on us

US lawmakers have also assured the Philippines that the country can count on the support of the US House of Representatives when it starts rehabilitating areas devastated by Yolanda.

American legislators gave their assurance to Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. during a briefing on relief efforts that was called last Thursday for members of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Philippine embassy in Washington said yesterday.

The briefing was organized by US-Philippines Friendship Caucus co-chairmen Rep. Robert Scott of Virginia and Rep. Darrell Issa of California and CAPAC chairman Rep. Judy Chu, also of California.

“It is extremely important that members of Congress know how critical our nation’s support can be during this time of need. The Philippines has long been a good friend of the United States and Congress must ensure that aid is effectively reaching all affected communities,” Scott said.

“While the response is being carried out in a very effective way, there is no doubt that the recovery process will be a long one,” he added. “It will be important for Congress to remain engaged to ensure a speedy and effective recovery for our friends in the Philippines.”

For his part, Rep. Mike Honda of California said: “I will continue to work with the Filipino and Filipino-American community, our administration and my colleagues in Congress to make sure that relief and recovery are swift and effective and that our partnership and friendship are unwavering.”

Nancy Lindborg, assistant administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance of the US Agency for International Development, also attended to brief congressmen on her recent visit to Tacloban City.

US Marine Corps Col. Chris Starling also briefed the legislators on the US-led relief efforts.

Cuisia thanked the US Congress for its support for the Philippines.

He cited California Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Relations; New York Rep. Eliot Engel; California Rep. Jackie Speier and Honda for introducing two separate resolutions expressing sympathy for the Philippines and support for the much needed relief and rehabilitation efforts.

“I have met with a number of the members in the past days and the message from all of you has been encouraging and heartwarming. We are reassured that we can count on your support as we face this challenge of bringing back normalcy to the communities in the Central Visayas,” Cuisia said.

“This gathering today just shows us that the United States is indeed committed to stand by the Philippines as we work towards rebuilding the lives and communities that were ravaged by the typhoon,” he added.

Cuisia also noted that the immediate and comprehensive support extended by the US government contributed significantly to the efforts of the Philippine government.

“The impressive demonstration of the full range of the United States’ humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities has not only helped the Philippines, but has also sent a powerful message of US leadership and commitment to the region,” he added.

More aid from Asian neighbors

Additional donations from Asian neighbors have also poured in.

The Republic of Korea pledged an additional $20 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in affected provinces after delivering on its promise to provide $5 million in humanitarian aid.

Korea’s additional assistance will be coursed through Korea’s Official Development Assistance program and will run for three years, from 2014 to 2016, with the Korean International Cooperation Agency taking the lead.

Japan, on the other hand, has approved the project by APTERR (ASEAN Plus Three Rice Reserve) to deliver emergency rice worth $500,000 using Japan’s contribution to APTERR.

APTERR is a regional cooperation established in 2004 to ensure food security in an emergency caused by temporary and large-scale calamities. So far, Japan has funded $6.64 million since the start of APTERR.

In all, Japan has donated $52.1 million for typhoon-victims in the Philippines. Japan’s emergency grant aid is $30 million, emergency relief goods are worth $0.6 million, assistance through Japanese NGOs is at $1.5 million, and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction of the Asian Development Bank is at $20 million.

Meanwhile, the government, civic organizations and citizens of Taiwan have donated funds and relief supplies worth $6.4 million as of Thursday.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s C-130 Hercules, on the other hand, forms part of a multinational pool of military aircraft that are helping to distribute aid to typhoon-ravaged areas and evacuate survivors from remote island-communities.

Squadron leader James Anderson, the aircraft captain, said his team has delivered 170 tons of aid supplies and evacuated around 800 survivors to Cebu since New Zealand’s humanitarian mission began on Nov. 16.

David Guetta helps to raise fund

International music producer and DJ David Guetta also stepped in to help the Philippines.

He has partnered with the United Nations to raise money for relief efforts.

Guetta, who was set to release his new music video last Friday night, would donate his new single “One Voice” to UN relief efforts.

“Music is a powerful way to connect and to bring people together,” Guetta said.

“If we can make a change just by saying what the world needs now and raise money to help the UN – wow. That’s incredible,” he added. – With Pia Lee-Brago, AP