Amid pouring aids into Yolanda-hit areas of central Philippines, Switzerland said on November 20 that its government and the Swiss public have pledged to donate more than P1 billion to the victims of the year’s strongest typhoon. In a statement, the Swiss Embassy in Manila announced that its government has released an initial P285 million for urgent disaster assistance to typhoon victims, while Swiss national fund-raising drive has already raised P760 million. Individuals, non-government organizations and companies in Switzerland continue to mobilize funding to assist the typhoon victims, the Swiss Embassy said. Aside from the funds, the Swiss government also dispatched its Humanitarian Relief Unit yo provide relief in some of the most affected areas in Northern Cebu and Western Leyte. The experts of the Swiss Humanitarian Assistance Teams were the first foreign aid workers to assist the affected populations in Bogo, Daan Bantayan and Bantayan Island in Cebu and in Naval/Biliran and Ormoc in Western Leyte. “Currently 20 professionals, medical doctors and health specialists, water and sanitation engineers, shelter experts and logisticians are working round the clock out of their hub in Cebu City,” the Swiss Embassy said. “They provide food and kitchen sets as well as hygiene and shelter-kits, which are procured locally, to tens of thousands of victims. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit also helps local governments in providing safe drinking water with specialized equipment flown in from Switzerland,” it added. The embassy also said that the Swiss government has shipped 21 metric tons of medical kits, food packs and shelter materials and were distributed in coordination with local authorities to the needy in the disaster area. Meanwhile, the embassy said that some Swiss citizens were affected by the typhoon and has also dispatched its consular personnel to Cebu and Leyte to support contact and search efforts on the ground. “Swiss citizens in the affected areas are requested to contact the Swiss Embassy at this number: 0917 528 5460,” the embassy said. Also view: Pinoys sacrifice for Yolanda victims
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:39:56 +0000
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