28 November 2013 - Donations intended for victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) continue to arrive in the Philippine Embassy as Bruneians have thrown their full support behind their government’s call for assistance to the typhoon victims.
A charity drive organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has had an overwhelming response as all six donation collection points located in the Sultanate’s four districts have been receiving numerous donations from the public.
Last week, TLT Enterprise and McBrumby Beverage Sdn. Bhd. donated 900 cartons (1.5 L x 12 bottles) of Suci Brand premium distilled drinking water equivalent to one 20-foot container to the victims of the calamity.
Similarly, officials of the Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn. Bhd. led by the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Malcolm Lim Tiong Han@ Lim Peh Beng, who is also the Vice President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, provided 500 boxes of food items and another 500 boxes of drinks for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
The donations from Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn. Bhd. were received by Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa at the Embassy.
Mr. Nazeer Ahmad Zakaria, managing proprietor of Nazmi Textile Mall and current President of Indian Chamber of Commerce of Brunei, and other officials of the organization, turned over 500 cartons of assorted food items and drinks, as well as 20 sacks of rice and another 20 boxes of dry goods.
Officials of the Philippine Embassy led by Minister and Consul Celeste Vinzon Balatbat, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. were on hand to receive the donations from officials of the Indian Chamber of Commerce of Brunei.
These donations in kind from TLT Enterprise and McBrumby Beverage Sdn. Bhd., Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn. Bhd., and the Indian Chamber of Commerce of Brunei were subsequently brought to the drop-off centers being overseen by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Logistical arrangements for transporting the relief items to the affected areas were being coordinated by Brunei’s National Disaster Management Center (NDMC), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
Philippine Embassy officials also met with representatives of freight forwarders (Forex Cargo, Urdan Express, Makati Express, and SDV Logistics) to coordinate efforts at receiving donations in kind and transporting them to the Philippines.
On November 11, His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam approved the creation of a humanitarian fund for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and the Bohol earthquake.
For the next three months or until February 10, 2014, cash donations from the public will be received by the humanitarian fund’s secretariat located at the second floor of the Community Development Department (JAPEM) in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. END