Canada completes humanitarian mission in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has completed its humanitarian assistance mission in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas following Philippine confirmation that the requirements for the relief phase have been met.

Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder said yesterday the DART completed the mission in Roxas City, Panay island and Aklan.

However, Canada will continue to play a role in the reconstruction phase, he added.

The decision to depart was made in consultation with the Philippine government and the United Nations.

Filipino authorities have expressed their gratitude to Canada and other nations, some of which have started the handover of relief efforts to the Philippine military, local government authorities and civilian aid organizations.

The DART is a multi-disciplinary military organization deployed on short notice anywhere in the world to respond to situations ranging from natural disasters to complex humanitarian emergencies. 

It is one component of Canada’s toolkit to respond to natural disasters abroad.

The Canadian defense minister said from the very beginning, Canada has played a leading role in relief efforts, launching a rapid and robust response that provided immediate assistance to the people and the government of the Philippines.

The Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to relief efforts in the Philippines included more than 315 personnel with a range of specialties: engineering to assist in clearing debris, opening roads, re-establishing electricity, remediating washouts and assessing structures such as bridges; water purification to produce clean drinking water; mobile medical teams to treat injuries and identify potential sites for assistance; helicopter pilots and crew to extend the reach of personnel to isolated areas and provide reconnaissance and assistance as required; air transport and maintenance crews; logistics to support the delivery of humanitarian supplies and the daily operations of Task Force Philippines; and    liaison officers (personnel of Filipino descent) to act as vital links between local authorities, international aid agencies and Canadian Armed Forces members.

Over the course of their deployment, Canadian Armed Forces personnel produced 493,346 liters of purified water, treated 6,525 medical patients, cleared over 131 kilometers of roads and delivered 230,485 pounds of food and relief goods on behalf of non-governmental organizations and local authorities.

Reeder participated on Wednesday in the launch of the Philippine government’s Reconstruction Assistance Plan for Yolanda (RAY) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

He gave an assurance of Canada’s commitment to the recovery and reconstruction phase that lies ahead.

Canada is the fifth largest country donor to the Central Emergency Relief Fund of the United Nations, which allocated $25 million to relief efforts in the Philippines.

UN secretary-general visit 

Sen. Loren Legarda said yesterday the reported plan of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit Tacloban City sends a strong message of hope for the communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

In a statement, the chairperson of the Senate committees on climate change and environment and natural resources said the visit would help boost the country’s disaster resiliency initiatives.

“We appreciate UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s personal visit to the Philippines and his concern for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to thank the UNSG for the support given to our nation and the humanitarian assistance facilitated by various UN agencies for relief and early recovery in communities devastated by the typhoon. 

“We believe that his leadership will inspire all sectors to unite and do more, to do better, and to sustain the gains in DRR (disaster risk reduction) and CCA (climate change adaptation), towards building a more resilient nation.” – Pia Lee-Brago, Marvin Sy