MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) –In response to the Philippine government’s call for international solidarity, the United Nations integrated effort team assured Monday that it has mobilized its system of assistance towards the victims of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name : Haiyan) in the Visayas region.
This was emphasized by Bernard Kerblat, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative on Monday during a humanitarian response team press briefing held at International Labour Organization (ILO) Auditorium at Yuchengco Tower in Makati City.
Kerblat said that they are here to do what needs to be done to complement government’s effort.
“We are merely passengers in the bus driven and being led by the Philippine government. We are just here to complement their concerted effort,” Kerblat explained.
He said they are closely coordinating with Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Emilio A. Abaya to expedite the transfer of cargo, and with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon J. Soliman in moving the aid towards the affected victims in Tacloban, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Ormoc and other areas of concerned.
He said the geographic location and complexity of some of the location of the affected areas make it difficult at first to reach-out but he said he was thankful for the concerted efforts of government agencies in clearing the debris to make these areas passable.
“It improves gradually now,” he remarked.
“We are also working in providing the assistance right now like emergency shelter under the leadership of International Federation of the Red Cross,” he added.
He added that they are helping in the provision of clean waters, blankets, kitchen utensils, containers and other non-food items in huge quantities.
He also added that additional contingencies from different bilateral nations are also deployed on the ground to help.
“All of these contributed to the acceleration,” he further added.
He stressed that there is really a great need to further act decisively and quickly to support the survivors affected from the 11-day crisis.
“While most of us have access to three times a meal a day, have an access to soft and convenient mattress and can hug their loves, the many still walking in the debris of the wreckage that needs assistance should not be forgotten,” he said.
He then appealed for reinforcement of the spirit of “bayanihan”.
“This is not the time for finger pointing. We have to focus on ‘spirit of bayanihan’, we should not let it collapse,” he added.
He also added that circumstances that happened when Yolanda struck the people in Tacloban where they practically lost everything in just a matter of hours, that for a while that resulted to sort of “breakdown of law and order” should be something that can be attributed as human in nature.
“Anyone of us in the same circumstance will probably do the same thing,” he added.
He said at this stage, what is needed most is focus on what are the things needed to be done and how can one be a part of the concerted solution to let the affected victims get back to their own feet and achieve normalcy which the Philippine government is trying to accomplish in keeping with its goal that nobody will be left behind. (PNA)