18 international groups give aid to Panay, Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - — A total of 18 international humanitarian organizations and agencies have extended assistance to victims of typhoon Yolanda in Negros and Panay Islands (Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz).

A report of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-Regional Office 6 said these agencies that responded to the call for help in Panay and Negros Islands.

Aside from tons of relief goods, these organizations also conducted ocular inspection and assessment and provided technical assistance for repair of schools and in the distribution of relief goods,

In support to the relief distribution, the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western Visayas is utilizing 69 military trucks, four helicopters of the Philippine Air Force and two vessels of the Philippine Navy, according to 3rd Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Rey Tiongson. 

Tiongson added that the Canadian Forces Mobile Medical Teams, in tandem with 3rd ID medical personnel, also continued to conduct medical mission in the affected towns of Capiz and northern Iloilo, with its Army engineering units doing the clearing of roads and the repair of public buildings and schools.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Police Regional Office-6 director, for his part, said his command has also optimized police operations in maintaining security in the typhoon-affected areas to ward off lawless elements who might take advantage of the situation.

Almost three weeks after Yolanda hit Negros and Panay, the death toll in Region 6 rose to 215, with the number of injured persons rising to 461, and 20 more still missing, the Office of Civil Defense-6 reported.

Iloilo had the most number of deaths with 134, including the 23 unidentified victims, who were buried in mass graves at the public cemetery of Estancia town. OCD-6 further reported that 59 deaths were recorded in Capiz, 13 in Aklan, seven in Antique and two in Negros Occidental.

OCD-6 director Rosario Cabrera placed the initial damage at P7.6 billion, with over P4.27 billion on infrastructure, over P1.41 billion in agriculture and over P1.93 billion in fishery.

Cabrera also reported the issuance of notices by the DTI against several establishments for violations by selling construction materials at prices higher than prevailing ones, in the towns of Iloilo.  (FREEMAN)

List of int'l

organizations

1)  Korean International Cooperative          Agency

2)  Creative Community Foundation

3)  Mercy Mission Canada

4)  United Nations Habitat

5)  Community Emergency                Management Institute Japan

6)  Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade

7)  Japan Heart International Medical          Volunteer

8)  Food and Agricultural                   Organizations    of the UN

9) International Food of Red, Medic            Assistance

10) Canadian Defense Attache

11) Australian Access Aid                   International                      Organization

12) International Federation of Red              Cross

13) UNICEF-WASH (Water Sanitation,          and Health)

14) World Food Programme

15) Red Crescent Societies

16) World Health Organization

17) Canadian Army Engineering Unit

18) International Labour Organization.