DOH honors Yolanda aid partners

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) gave recognition on Friday to 224 local government units, local and foreign organizations and companies and hospitals that responded to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas last November.

“This awarding is actually too late since almost nine months have passed since Yolanda. At the moment, there is some breathing space for us to pause and reflect and to modestly acknowledge those who have been our partners in relief assistance,” said DOH Secretary Enrique Ona. 

Ona said almost 9,000 health responders from at least 222 institutions and agencies, including 351 local and foreign medical teams, joined the rescue and recovery efforts in Yolanda-battered areas.           

“What we are doing today is not about assigning credit; rather, it is about giving thanks, with a grateful heart… The DOH is indebted to all of you. You are all our unsung heroes,” he said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had recorded 6,201 dead, 27,665 injured and 1,785 missing. Most of the fatalities came from Tacloban City and Palo and Tanauan towns, all in Leyte.