13 February 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez called on Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay and Dr. Fuat Oktay, of the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry for Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (Afet Acil Durum Yonetimi Baskanligi- AFAD) on February 04.  The Ambassador was accompanied by Consul General Robert Ferrer and Consul Leilani S. Feliciano during the call.

Ambassador Sanchez conveyed again the Philippine Government’s  appreciation to the Turkish Government for their immediate assistance for the super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims particularly in Tacloban, and neighboring provinces. Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Atalay and Dr. Oktay of AFAD were among the first to arrive in the Philippines after the onslaught of the typhoon, bringing a planeload of supplies consisting of 65 tons of tents, blankets and cooking aids and other humanitarian assistance for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Ambassador Sanchez also informed them that  the Philippine Government shifted its focus to the reconstruction and rebuilding of Tacloban and surrounding provinces.

She thanked Deputy Prime Minister Atalay for Turkey’s statement of support  for the succeeding steps of the Southern Philippines Peace Process.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Atalay expressed Turkey’s readiness to assist in the Philippines’ efforts, together with other international donors and multinational aid agencies.  END