Thousands of families hit by 'Ondoy' to benefit from P19-M worth of donated goods from Italy

A single foreign donation of goods worth around P19-million including generators from the Italian embassy made to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), which would benefit thousands of families that were badly hit by tropical storm "Ondoy" was received by Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today.

Gordon, also chairman of the PNRC, led other Red Cross officials in receiving the donation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 this morning (Thursday).

"We are thankful to the Italian embassy for lending a hand at this point when our country is still coping with the devastation that 'Ondoy' left. This will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of our countrymen," he said.

The donation, which was turned over by Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fidele, assisted by Embassy Attaches Dr. Leandro Zontini and Alfredo Moretti, was worth 283,723.86 EUR (Euros) or US$408,235.77.

The items donated were 23 generators, which will be placed in evacuation centers without electricity; and eight water tanks and water pumps that would provide potable water for evacuees.

Also donated were 900 kitchen sets, 4,200 blankets, 3,000 jerry cans with screw cap, 3 inflatable boats, and clothing, shoes, towels, sanitation, and hygiene items.

Earlier this week, some 10,000 families affected by 'Ondoy' were the recipients of around P25-million worth of donations from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the American, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finish, German, and Japan Red Cross societies.

The donation, worth 554,000.80 Swiss francs (CHF), consists of hygiene sets, which contained body and laundry soaps, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary pads, toilet papers, hand towels, bath towels and razor; sleeping gears, such as blankets, mosquito nets and sleeping mats.

Gordon, a governor of the IFRC, said the donated goods also included kitchen sets, which contained cooking pots, frying pans, metallic bowls and plates, plastic cups, kitchen knives, wooden stirring spoons, and tablespoons and forks.

The senator led Red Cross volunteers in conducting rescue and relief operations. He and Red Cross volunteers distributed relief goods in different evacuation centers and communities in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.

Donations and assistance from other international communities have started pouring in, a day after Ondoy lashed the country.