ROC provides US$6.4 million in relief to Philippines

The Republic of China (ROC) government, civic organizations and individual citizens continue providing timely assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, donating funds and relief supplies worth US$6.4 million as of 21 November.

The super typhoon, known locally as Yolanda, swept through the central Philippines  on 8 November, wreaking tremendous devastation. Two days later, the ROC government announced a donation of US$200,000, while calling for a nationwide charity drive to provide relief supplies. The ROC Red Cross Society, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and other non-governmental organizations responded immediately.

Since 12 November, 150 tonnes of aid supplies from Taiwan have been delivered in 18 flights by ROC air force C-130 Hercules cargo planes for distribution by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development and volunteers working for Taiwan civic groups.

Minister without Portfolio Lin Junq-tzer accompanied one flight on 21 November to oversee the transport and delivery of supplies, while ROC Representative to the Philippines Raymond L.S. Wang traveled to hard-hit Tacloban City on 19 November to confer with Mayor Alfred Romualdez and other officials on relief and reconstruction efforts. Philippine Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras publicly lauded the ROC for shipping relief goods to the disaster area on C-130 planes.

Filipinos in affected areas are still in dire need of emergency goods, including solar generators, ready-to-eat food (canned goods and instant noodles), tents, sleeping bags, food rations, drinking water, water purifiers, rain gear and sanitary supplies.

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