14 November 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and United Nations (UN) Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos participated in launching the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Action Plan held on November 12 at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City. It seeks to raise US$ 301 million to fund emergency relief efforts for the victims of the typhoon.

At the event, Undersecretary-General Amos underscored the UN’s Action Plan that would be needed to fund the recovery efforts of the affected areas and to bring a semblance of normalcy back into the lives of those affected. She herself visited the affected areas last November 13. 

Ms. Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident Coordinator, and Mr. David Carden, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Philippines, delivered detailed presentations during the event about the devastation in the area and the massive recovery and rehabilitation efforts that would be needed. They highlighted the current needs in various provinces affected namely food, water, shelter, generators, and moving equipment to clear roads. 

In a sign of solidarity with the Filipino people Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay of Turkey visited the Philippines to convey relief goods and also attended the Flash Appeal Launch. He expressed the deep sorrow of the people of Turkey and their concern for the Philippines. He said that Turkey would be sending further assistance in the form of logistical equipment.


Secretary Del Rosario in his welcome remarks thanked the international community for its swift and generous response. “As massive as Yolanda was, so has been the international response in terms of assistance both financially and logistically. The outpouring of support from States and International Organizations has been just as overwhelming,” he said.

Secretary Del Rosario also acknowledged the work that the UN has done so far “I personally thanked Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for coming through with his pledge for UN humanitarian agencies to respond rapidly to people in need. In particular, I thanked the UN Country Team in the Philippines, headed by Resident Coordinator Luiza Carvalho, for its swift action in bringing much needed emergency aid to the victims in the areas hardest hit by the typhoon.” The UN was quick to release US$25M through its Central Emergency Response Fund to mobilize the response effort. 

Present at the event were members of the Diplomatic Corps, the UN and Humanitarian Country Team, and international aid organizations in Manila. 

During the open forum several Ambassadors took the floor to express their condolences and made pledges of support for the Philippines. The Launch was also connected live via teleconference to the UN Headquarters in Geneva. END