03 June 2014 – Mr. Emmanuel Tronc, Humanitarian Advocacy and Representation Coordinator of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Dr. Maria S. Guevara, MSF Regional Humanitarian Representative for Asia, met with Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations, on May 30 at the Philippine Mission in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss humanitarian cooperation as well as the situation in Central Visayas following the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
During the meeting, Ambassador Rebong thanked MSF and its emergency teams for their selfless dedication in assisting Filipinos who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda, as well as for their commitment in rendering medical services every time the country is hit by natural disasters.
Mr. Tronc emphasized that MSF is committed to providing medical care, psychological support and other medical services to the country especially during disasters and emergencies. He mentioned that MSF is looking at the possibility of setting up its presence in the Philippines in order to provide much-needed humanitarian relief and aid to devastated areas.
MSF, founded in Paris, France in 1971, is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare guided by medical ethics and principles of neutrality and impartiality. It was one of the international organizations which sent emergency teams to the hardest hit areas of Typhoon Yolanda.
The Philippines continues to play an active role in discussions at international and regional levels of issues related to disaster risk reduction and mitigation and humanitarian assistance.
This week, it plays host to some 150 senior government officials, scientists, academics, policymakers, industry and business leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and representatives of regional and international organizations from Asia and Europe for the ASEM Manila Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) which will be held from June 4 to 6 in Manila. Through the Conference, the Philippines aims to contribute to the new global architecture on DRRM with a document to be called “The Tacloban Declaration” which will embody new policies and principles for DRRM.
In September, the Philippines will also host the 2nd Disaster Response Dialogue (DRD) in Manila. END