18 December 2013 - The United Nations held a special meeting on December 16 to discuss the international response to Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan) in the Philippines, under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The meeting was called by the ECOSOC President, Ambassador Nestor Osorio, to assess the impact of the typhoon on the Philippines, in particular on the most vulnerable sectors; to identify effective ways to meet the immediate needs of the affected people; to assess the level of preparedness at the national and global levels in responding to this disaster, and to examine how the UN system can best assist in the relief, recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the Philippine Government.
Serving as Keynote Speaker for the event was Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras from the Office of the President of the Philippines. In his address, he presented the true nature of the devastating impact of the typhoon, but also emphasized the efforts of national and local government officials to respond promptly and adequately to the immediate needs of those affected.
He cited, for instance, the efforts of Mayor Christopher Gonzales of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, whose timely evacuation of constituents saved thousands of lives, as well as members of the Philippine Armed Forces who were able to clear the Tacloban airport with their bare hands to enable government officials and internationals to fly into the area a day after the typhoon hit the area on November 08.
Secretary Almendras also mentioned lessons learned from the catastrophe, and highlighted the rehabilitation efforts being undertaken by the Philippine Government to restore local populations (particularly small-scale farmers and fishermen) to their livelihoods, and thereby effect sustainable recovery and development in the area.
Speaking via video link-up from Geneva, UN Undersecretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos again highlighted the incredible resilience of the Filipino people. She remarked that the present international assistance to the Philippines was a turning point in the UN’s rehabilitation work, with a Special Response Plan to cost US$781 million in funding.
Ms. Margareta Walhstrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, also participated via video conference, and cited the Philippines as a model for Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change innovations.
Ms. Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident Coordinator for the Philippines, also spoke by video link and praised the efforts of the Government and the conduct and coordination of international relief and assistance extended to the Philippines.
Mr. Nicholas Rosellini, Deputy Director, UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, for his part, stressed the new catch-phrase theme of “Building Back Better” as applicable for the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), calling for restored Philippine capacity, livelihood support and development assistance.
Mr. Harold Brooks, Senior Vice President of International Operations of American Red Cross highlighted his organization’s support and cooperation extended to the Philippine Red Cross, while Ms. Annie Garcia, President of SM Malls Inc., spoke as a private sector representative and elaborated on the support and assistance extended by SM Super Malls to typhoon survivors and their organization’s continuing efforts and programs in support of climate change, environmental protection and disaster mitigation. END