Foreign aid pours in for ‘Kristine’-hit PH

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A drone shot of rice fields submerged in flooding following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) in Camarines Sur on Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2024). (Photo by Kairos Poñado via Naga City Government/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippines is set to receive multibillion pesos worth of international aid from the European Union (EU), the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan in response to the devastation left by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

The EU on Thursday said it has approved 1.5 million euros (approximately PHP94 million) in humanitarian aid to assist the most affected populations, especially in the regions of Bicol and Calabarzon.

“I am sad to see that only a few days after my visit to Manila, the Philippines was, once more this year, severely struck by a disaster. As I reiterated during my stay, the EU stands ready to help populations that are on the frontline of climate-related disasters,” Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said.

This emergency funding comes in addition to the 4.5 million euros already allocated to the Philippines this year in humanitarian aid.

Nearly 2 million euros had previously been released following floods and tropical cyclones in Mindanao and other parts of the country in February, July and September 2024.

Also on Thursday, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) announced its donation of USD150,000 (approximately PHP8.7 million) to the Philippine government as a “gesture of Taiwan’s compassion and solidarity for Philippine individuals, families and communities” affected by the storm.

The aid was received by Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairperson Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil in a ceremony at the TECO office in Makati City.

Velicaria-Garafil noted that the donation was given at a time when Taiwan was also being pummeled by Kong-rey, locally named Leon.

“This act shows the magnanimity of the people of Taiwan for extending help and assistance to Filipinos in the midst of their own personal battles and challenges,” she said.

“Let me express our deepest hope and prayer for the safety and well-being of the people of Taiwan, as well as our around 200,000 Filipino compatriots who are working and living in Taiwan.”

This fresh aid is on top of the 500 metric tons of rice Taiwan donated for calamity victims on Oct. 29.

TECO Representative Wallace Minn Chow said Taiwan is “committed to being a true friend and reliable partner to the Philippines.”

“Disasters like this remind us all of our shared humanity and the importance of standing together in times of trial,” he said.

“Together, let us stand united in our efforts to support the affected families in the regions as they rebuild their lives and communities.”

The UAE government, meanwhile, is preparing to donate 33,000 boxes of family food packs to augment the local relief efforts.

The UAE Embassy in Manila will lead the deployment of relief supplies and prioritize thr delivery of food packs and drinking water in the regions that bore the brunt of Kristine, particularly Bicol.

The transportation and distribution of the relief goods, on the other hand, will be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its regional offices.

In a statement Wednesday, the DSWD said an initial 1,000 food boxes will be distributed to displaced families currently taking shelter at the Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City.

During its pass over Luzon, Visayas and northern Mindanao, Kristine caused widespread floods and landslides, which resulted in a high number of casualties and damage, affecting about 7 million people.

The death toll from the combined effects of Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey) which battered most of Luzon has climbed to 141, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday.

The figure includes 14 confirmed fatalities and another 127 undergoing validation, according to the agency’s latest situation report.