UN ready to support storm-ravaged Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — As the country reels from the death and devastation wrought by a slew of natural disasters in recent days, the United Nations expressed its sympathies with the Philippines and expressed readiness to provide support to local emergency operations.

Tropical Storm Vinta, internationally known as Tembin, blew out of the country's south into the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) Sunday, leaving 200 people dead, at least 144 missing and 40,000 evacuated to temporary accommodations.

"Vinta" unleashed floods and mudslides so severe that it virtually erased from the map the mountain village of Dalama, based on television images broadcast over the weekend.

Earlier last week, another tropical storm, "Urduja," left more than 50 people dead and 31 others missing due to landslides and flooding. It also damaged thousands of houses and structures as it sliced through central Philippines.

"The Secretary-General is saddened to learn of the loss of life and  devastation caused by Tropical Storm Tembin (known locally as “Vinta”) in Mindanao, the Philippines. The Secretary-General extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

"The United Nations stands ready to support the local and national authorities, in addition to the support already being provided by humanitarian partners," he said.

According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 151 evacuation centers have already been set up, but the number of displaced individuals could still rise as information from the field becomes available.

The UN chief also lauded national and local rescue and recovery teams and volunteers for extending help to devastated residents despite working under "difficult conditions."

The Philippines is annually battered by around 20 typhoons, many of which have calamitous effects, making the country one of the most vulnerable to disasters in the world.

In his annual Christmas message, President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to help their countrymen who are in need.

"In the midst of all the revelry and festivity, may we also remember our brothers and sisters who are in need so that we can become instruments for the betterment of their lives," said the president, who is locally and internationally criticized for his alleged complicity in orphaning and widowing thousands in his brutal campaign against illegal narcotics.

"I wish everyone a happy, peaceful and meaningful Christmas," said the president who blasted and threatened to leave the world body in the past for expressing its concern over the alleged extrajudicial killings attending his warn on drugs.