NBA joins relief effort

MANILA, Philippines - The National Basketball Association and NBA Players Association are donating $250,000 to the US Fund for UNICEF for emergency relief efforts in areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose mother is from the Philippines, will appear in a public service announcement for the organization to help raise funds for the relief efforts.

UNICEF said Sunday in a release that estimates show as many as four million children could be affected by the super typhoon that has killed thousands and could be the deadliest natural disaster on record.

The basketball league is also planning a second donation to another organization and is encouraging others to help the efforts in the Philippines, where it played an exhibition game last month between Houston and Indiana.
Meanwhile, the Australian government pledged an additional A$10 million, bringing Australia’s contribution to A$10.39 million (P425.5 million).

Australia immediately responded to the disaster by providing P15.5 million in emergency supplies through the Philippine Red Cross and the United Nations Population Fund.

Australia said it is ready to offer more assistance if needed.

US President Barack Obama said the US is already providing significant humanitarian assistance, adding “we stand ready to further assist the government’s relief and recovery efforts.”

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said it is sending supplies, including emergency shelter and hygiene materials, to help 10,000 families. The supplies are expected to arrive early this week, according to a spokeswoman.

USAID also is dispatching 55 metric tons of emergency food to feed 20,000 children and 15,000 adults for up to five days, the agency said.

About 90 US Marines and sailors arrived in the country as part of a first wave of promised US military assistance, which included aircraft for search and rescue operations.

The initial shipment of 5,000 blankets and 3,000 tarpaulins, from a German warehouse, will give survivors the material to build temporary shelter, said US aid group World Vision.

World Vision had a target of $3 million in US donations and a global total of $20 million.

UNICEF said a cargo plane carrying 60 tons of aid, including shelter and medicine, would arrive in the country today, to be followed by deliveries of water purification and sanitation equipment.

The UN World Food Program said it mobilized a $2-million relief program that would include flying 40 tons of fortified high energy biscuits from Dubai.

The American Red Cross dispatched a telecommunications unit and, through its local US chapters, activated a family tracing service for people with relatives in the Philippines.

More international aid

Other aid mobilized for Yolanda victims include $5 million from Canada, 3 million euros from the European Commission and 1.1 million euros from Spain.

Taiwan is donating $200,000, Red Cross Society of China is donating $100,000, $100,000 from Sun Life Financial of Canada and $40,000 from Singapore.

New Zealand also increased its humanitarian relief, bringing its total to NZ$2.15 million, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) is sending 200 tons of aid.

Germany said it is sending an initial 23 tons of humanitarian aid consisting of water, food and hygiene and medical kits. International Search and Rescue Team Germany is also sending a medical team.

Japan said it would send a 25-member relief team of mostly medical staff.

Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has pledged $100,000 (P4.3 million) through the Arab Gulf Program for Development, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has so far monitored 22 countries, including EU member states, as among those that have offered cash donations, relief goods, deployment of ships and aircraft and provision of medical supplies, search and rescue teams and medical personnel.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said they have also received many messages of condolences and solidarity from the international community.

He said the Philippines has accepted the offer of the UN for the issuance of a flash appeal for humanitarian assistance for Yolanda victims.

“In this connection, the UN is now undertaking needs assessment activities in the affected areas,” he said. – AP, Jose Rodel Clapano