16 February 2015 – Philippine Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla met on February 12 with Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) Deputy Secretary General for Services Bonnie So to discuss possible collaborative training projects for the Filipino community and to enhance coordination and partnership in disaster preparedness and risk reduction activities. 

During the meeting, Consul General Catalla thanked HKRC for its assistance following recent natural disasters in the Philippines, most notably in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in November 2013. 

HKRC sent volunteers and disaster management experts to help in disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, especially in the far-flung typhoon-affected areas.

Additionally, in a session held at the Consulate General on November 17, 2013, a team from the HKRC provided psychosocial support to Filipino community members who had families and relatives in Haiyan-hit areas and were experiencing trauma following the typhoon. 

HKRC Deputy Secretary General So expressed appreciation for the Consulate General’s longstanding partnership with HKRC, particularly in the organization’s blood donation campaign. Each year, the Consulate General organizes a blood donation drive participated in by members of the Filipino community in commemoration of the Flag Day of the Hong Kong Red Cross and the anniversary of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. 

Consul General Catalla also expressed interest in partnering with HKRC in providing first aid training and other skills-upgrading programs for both overseas Filipino workers and Filipino residents in Hong Kong. 

HKRC is appealing for blood donations for its Blood Transfusion Services.  For more information, please visit the website of HKRC Blood Transfusion Services at: http://www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/enindex.asp. END