Foreign aid for Ondoy victims - US, China donate through Red Cross

The United States embassy has donated $50,000 for the flood victims caused by incessant rains of typhoon Ondoy.

In a text message Saturday afternoon, Rebecca Thompson of the public affairs office of the US embassy in Manila said Ambassador Kristie Kenney has called Philippine National Red Cross Chairman Senator Richard Gordon to offer the money for immediate disaster relief.

The money is coursed through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of US Agency for International Development.

Thompson also said embassy officials are in touch with officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council to determine what other assistance the US may offer.

"Damage this storm has caused is heartbreaking," she said.

China on Sunday donated $10,000 (about half a million pesos) for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

In a statement, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said the donation will be coursed through the Philippine National Red Cross.

The ambassador phoned PNRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon to tell him about the donation; the check will be immediately delivered to the PNRC.

Describing the damages caused by incessant rains and unexpected floods as “heartbreaking,” the ambassador also conveyed the sympathy of the Chinese government and people who “were saddened by loss of lives.”

Ambassador Liu also expressed confidence that the Philippines would soon overcome the natural disaster and that “the social life would be back to normal very soon.”

The senator, for his part, thanked the embassy and the Chinese people for the emergency assistance.

US donates $50,000 to flood victims
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 09:31:00 09/27/2009

China donates $10,000 for Ondoy victims
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:55:00 09/27/2009