MALACAÑANG, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine government on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Philippine’s neighbors in the international community as well as Filipinos based abroad for Philippine relief efforts for victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the show of solidarity gives Filipinos comfort and a sense that they are not alone in their efforts to recover from the tragedy.
“Malaking bagay ang solidarity ng maraming bansa sa Pilipinas (The solidarity shown by many countries means a lot to us). Certainly it gives us comfort that we are not alone in this fight to rehabilitate affected areas in providing relief goods. And therefore we are very thankful for countries that pledged assistance to us,” Lacierda said at a media briefing.
So far, he said at least 28 of the Philippines’ neighbors have indicated or pledged help for the victims of Yolanda.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierd said among the donors include Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.
Many international organizations have also committed their assistance, Lacierda said. These organizations include the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Doctors without Borders, Oxfam, World Food Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“It lifts our spirits. we know that many countries are willing to help us. Malaking consolation yan sa atin (It’s a big consolation for us),” he added.
He said one of the latest show of solidarity was a call by UK Prime Minister David Cameron to President Benigno S. Aquino III last Sunday night (Manila time).
Lacierda also thanked Filipinos both at home and abroad who had given their time and effort to help their less fortunate fellow Filipinos. With reports from PIA IVA
