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Several countries have extended assistance by sending basic goods and temporary shelters to communities heavily-affected by typhoon Odette.
Countries like Japan, China, Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom have launched their respective relief operations to help typhoon-stricken areas in the country as of Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided generator, camping tent, sleeping pad, portable water container, and tarpaulin and plastic sheet to cover the roof to affected families.
Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said that the disaster relief goods will be shipped in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. “These goods will immediately be distributed to areas devastated by the typhoon,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, on the other hand, said Tuesday that relief goods from the Chinese government “are on their way to areas devastated by typhoon Odette.”
He said the Chinese Embassy has raised 20,000 food packages worth around P8 million. Each package contains 5 kilograms of rice, 10 canned food and 10 noodle packs.
“With the help of the local Filipino-Chinese Community, these relief goods are on their way to Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao City, Negros Oriental, etc.,” the ambassador said.
More than four million kilograms of Chinese government-donated rice are already in different Philippine ports for distribution in heavily-affected areas.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canada “is providing financial assistance” to the Philippines through the Red Cross to “help address immediate needs on the ground, such as water and sanitation.”
“In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll continue to help those who need it most,” Trudeau said.
Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Harjit S. Sajjan disclosed that Canada will help the Philippines “with up to $3M in assistance, including $500,000 for the urgent Red Cross response.”
Canada will always do our part to help in times of need. After a devastating typhoon, @CanadaDev will help our friends in the Philippines with up to $3M in assistance, including $500,000 for the urgent Red Cross response. pic.twitter.com/cE5xeFDLvo
Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson bared that the Australian government will help in donating 1,000 solar lamps, 1,000 mosquito nets, 1,000 plastic tarps, and 200 plastic sheets to displaced families in the the islands of Siargao and Dinagat.
Moreover, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said the UK is contributing £750,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross to provide assistance to the typhoon victims.
The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also sent 10,000 family food packs to Butuan City on Monday, Dec. 20.
More than 465,000 families or over 1.8 million individuals in nine regions in the country were affected by typhoon Odette, which, according to the Philippine National Police, has claimed 375 lives with 56 other people remain missing.
READ MORE: ‘Odette’ claims 375 lives, 56 other people still missing– PNP
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