06 March 2014- The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a forum and launching of photo exhibit on super typhoon Yolanda’s (Haiyan’s) First Responders at the Philippine Center on February 26.
The photo exhibit, entitled “Operation: Seabird, the Photography of Team Rubicon, The Philippines, November 2013,” was opened at the lobby of the Philippine Center. Displayed for public viewing are 20 large-size photos taken by Team Rubicon members Kirk Jackson, Anthony Bari and Andrew Herrold while their team was in Leyte to perform medical treatment and surgeries, and search-and-rescue operations.
Team Rubicon, composed mainly of US military veterans, arrived in the area four days after Yolanda hit central Philippines. Along with Monmouth Medical Mission, it was one of the first international civilian groups to go to the typhoon-devastated areas.
After the opening of the photo exhibit, a forum was held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. spoke about the impact of Yolanda on the Philippines and the invaluable contributions of the first responders in delivering emergency assistance and aid to the typhoon survivors. He cited the immediate response of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan that came to Leyte and helped clear the way for the massive US-led international relief efforts that pre-empted what could have been a major humanitarian disaster. He said the Balikatan military exercises between the Philippine and US military forces proved to very helpful in executing their coordinated response to help the devastated communities.
Shared their group’s intervention and humanitarian assistance were guest speakers, namely: Team Rubicon Regional Recruitment Coordinator, Filipino-American Maria Lourdes Tiglao; US Marine Corps Executive Assistant of the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations Colonel Christopher Starling and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) Asia and Pacific Section Chief Zola Dowell.
In the two weeks that Team Rubicon was in the Philippines, it was able to provide medical treatment and assistance, including procedures such as surgeries, deliveries, debridement and medical evacuations, to over 2,100 patients. It conducted foot-mobile medical patrols in various barangays in Tacloban to address wide range of health issues, administer vaccines and report their findings back to their communications base in Manila.
Col. Starling, on the other hand, reported on the number and extent of humanitarian missions the US military conducted in the affected areas. Under Operation Damayan, the US military deployed thousands of US airmen, Marines, soldiers and sailors and sent ships, planes, helicopters and heavy equipment to take part in critical relief efforts that lasted for about a month. They delivered 2,000 tons of relief goods and relocated more than 18,000 people aid relief supplies, conducted medical evacuations and helped relocate.
Ms. Dowell gave a summary of ongoing response activities being undertaken by OCHA to assist the estimated 14 million people affected by the typhoon. She said that in addition to food, water and emergency shelter, the highest priority needs include tools and materials to build houses and provide livelihood support. Other priority actions which OCHA is focused on include supporting Local Government Units and educational institutions, continuing debris removal, and strengthening national protection capacity.
In hosting the double event, Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. said, “It is important that we are reminded not only of the tragedies suffered by the people and communities in the areas devastated by Haiyan, but also of the Filipinos’ stories of hope, resiliency and their resolve to survive and rebuild their lives.”
Some video clips of the forum can be viewed at these CNNiReport links http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1099464, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1100022 and http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1100024 posted by Mr. Raymund Galsim, News Correspondent and Photojournalist and United Nations Correspondents Association Member. END