19 November 2013 - Philippine Ambassador Enrique Manalo thanked the UK and the international communities for their generosity and kindness to the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoonYolanda (Haiyan).
In a statement released on November 14 by the Philippine Embassy in London, Ambassador Manalo said that the immediate and generous response of both the (UK) Government and the public were “expressions of solidarity with the Filipino people”. Ambassador Manalo also said the Government’s provision of assistance, personnel and assets to the affected areas and people “speaks eloquently of the long-standing friendship between our two countries.”
The Embassy also cited the public’s warm response to the appeal launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which raised £13 million in just 24 hours. Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personally donated to the appeal. The Government pledged to match pound for pound the first £5 million donated by the British public to British charities.
Ambassador Manalo also said the Embassy also received inspiring messages and moving gestures from everywhere in the UK. A condolence book was opened for signature at the Belfast City Hall, while the Philippine appeal was launched at Glasgow City Chambers. An old man travelled two hours to the Embassy to offer his condolences and to remit his small community’s donation. A woman inquired about sending blankets to the victims, saying she had just finished knitting them. Many companies donated crucial items such as power generators, and communicated ideas on how to help.
The Embassy said the most spontaneous outpouring of support came from the Filipino communities all over the UK, as organizations large and small mobilised for various fundraising events and prayer sessions. Numerous individuals also approached their employers and co-workers and received unstinting support. Ambassador Manalo said these gestures “not only manifest (these communities’) enduring ties with the Philippines but also the strength of their empathy with their compatriots.”
The UK Government acted quickly to provide assistance as soon as the devastation caused by the Category 5 typhoon became apparent, earmarking £10 million for relief operations. Prime Minister David Cameron today tasked Helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious to bolster Britain’s aid effort together with HMS Daring, which is now about a day’s sailing from Tacloban. The ships join two Royal Airforce (RAF) Globemaster transporters flying out from the UK packed with humanitarian aid.
The DEC is composed of 14 leading UK aid charities working together in times of crisis. These are Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. All are collectively raising money for the Philippine relief efforts. END