France donates 70,000 euros to Frank victims

MANILA, Philippines – The French government sent 70,000 euros ($110,000) in cash donation to the Philippines for the victims of typhoon “Frank.”

French Ambassador Gérard Chesnel officially delivered the financial assistance to Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Chesnel also handed over a letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed to President Arroyo, expressing sympathy and condolences to the Filipino people.

“It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the heavy consequences brought about by typhoon Fengshen (Frank) in the Philippines, particularly the tragic sinking of the ship MV Princess of the Stars,” Sarkozy said.

The French foreign ministry sent the letter to Mrs. Arroyo through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), expressing the readiness of the French government and the European Union to provide assistance to those affected by the typhoon.

Australia also provided A$500,000, or P20 million, in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sent a letter to Mrs. Arroyo conveying the sympathy of the Australian government and its people for the tragic loss of life and property caused by typhoon Frank.  

Rudd said, “The thoughts of all Australians, and particularly our Filipino community, are with you and all those affected by this terrible disaster.”  

Rudd underlined the sentiments with the initial financial contribution from the Australian government as humanitarian assistance for the victims of the typhoon.

“The funds will be made available to the Philippine National Red Cross to assist with relief operations, including setting up shelters, emergency support for drinking water and other non-food, clothing and related emergency items,” Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said yesterday after a meeting with Gordon.

Smith said Australian officials would coordinate the relief efforts with the PNRC and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

An Australian embassy official has been sent to Western Visayas to undertake an assessment of further needs, Smith said.

Australia has been a generous donor of the Philippines since 2006, providing almost A$2.5 million in humanitarian and emergency assistance.

Recognizing the Philippines is vulnerable to natural disasters, Australia, through its international development agency (AusAID), is working with the PNRC, the United Nations Development Program and the NDCC to strengthen community-based disaster management and hazards mapping.  

Japan also turned over P8-million emergency assistance to the Philippine government for the typhoon victims.

Minister Hidenobu Sobashima, chargè d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan, turned over the emergency relief assistance for the typhoon victims to Secretary Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

The assistance, worth 20 million yen or approximately P8 million, is for relief and rehabilitation of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz and Aklan, the provinces hardest hit by the typhoon. 

The Japanese donation includes sleeping pads, generators, water tanks and plastic sheets.

Officials said the emergency assistance is in line with the Japanese government’s commitment to assist the Philippines’ disaster management efforts. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Roel Pareño