26 August 2014 – Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations, met with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer on August 21 at the ICRC Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ambassador Rebong expressed appreciation to Mr. Maurer for the support and humanitarian assistance ICRC has extended to the Philippines and to those affected by successive emergencies in the country, especially to those affected by the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

Mr. Maurer thanked the Philippine Government, through the Ambassador, for all its support to ICRC’s programs and activities.  He conveyed that he was looking forward to his visit to the Philippines this week to explore potential areas of engagement between the Philippines and the ICRC in order to ensure better assistance and humanitarian protection for victims of disasters and conflict.

Mr. Maurer will also visit its operations in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas, and will meet with President Benigno S. Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and other government officials and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners.

ICRC has one of its biggest operations in the Philippines. Its permanent presence in the Philippines was established in 1982 but it has been active in the country since 1959.

ICRC’s humanitarian response in the country is focused on a range of integrated humanitarian activities including access to water, livelihood support and health-care services. Its primary humanitarian partner in the country is the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). END