Typhoon Haiyan, One of the most powerful storms ever recorded killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines on Friday, November 8, 2013.

Number of nations sending aid for ‘Yolanda’ victims growing

• AUSTRALIA – US$10 million package
• BELGIUM – medical and search and rescue personnel
• CANADA – C$5 million
• DENMARK – KR 10 million
• EUROPEAN UNION – EUR 3 million
• GERMANY – 23 tons of relief goods
• HUNGARY – search and rescue personnel and rapid response team
• INDONESIA – in-kind donations
• ISRAEL- team of medical, trauma and relief professionals
• JAPAN – emergency relief medical team
• MALAYSIA – medical and search and rescue teams
• THE NETHERLANDS – undisclosed financial aid
• NEW ZEALAND – NZ $2.15 million
• NORWAY – KR 20 million
• RUSSIA – rapid response team
• SAUDI ARABIA through Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – US$100,000
• SINGAPORE – $50,000
• SPAIN – in-kind donations
• SWEDEN- emergency communications equipment
• TAIWAN – $200,000
• TURKEY – medics, rapid response team, search and rescue personnel
• UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Dhs 36 million
• UNITED KINGDOM – £6 million and $9.6 million worth of emergency support package
• UNITED NATIONS Children’s Fund – $1.3 million worth of supplies
• UNITED STATES – initial $100,000 for water and sanitation; Troops, emergency respondents, transportation and equipment

AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO JR AMIDST TYPHOON YOLANDA

Mr President,

I am writing in behalf of the millions of OFW’s from all over the world. We are deeply saddened by the series of tragedies that have happened in the Philippines over the past few months, but in particular, the devastation brought by the typhoon Yolanda. As Filipinos abroad, we are extremely grateful and overwhelmed with the amount of well wishes, attention, sympathy and aid we have been receiving for our fellow countrymen, all over the globe in particular the vast amount of donations being given by all foreign governments.

Your Excellency, as the leader of our country, I would like to make this earnest appeal in assuring us and our fellow countrymen that all aid, whether financial or in kind, goes directly to the victims of the typhoon. For very reason that this is the time that our fellow Filipinos in Tacloban and nearby provinces would need the utmost help. Hence, it is our moral obligation to make sure that EVERY CENT of these donations ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.

There has never been a time when the eyes of the world is on our nation. This is your time to show, Mr President; and our chance to prove our honesty, resilience, and humility as a people. Amidst all the political scandal of PDAF and other accusations of corruption in under your administration, this is the time to show to every Filipino that your government can be TRANSPARENT.

By doing this, Your Excellency, you will pave the way in restoring faith in our government. You can encourage more countries to help, those who, at the moment are a bit reluctant to extend a hand due to our bad reputation. By doing this you can start the process of change in our government and change the reputation we currently have. You can encourage more countries to help, those who, at the moment are a bit reluctant to extend a hand owing our bad reputation.

If I may Mr President, can I suggest that you please hold every Barangay Kagawad, Barangay Captain, Councillors, Mayors, Governors, Vice Governors, Congressmen and Senators accountable for every cent of these donations. Show the world every progress being done, help being given, and communities being rebuilt.

Let us use this unfortunate tragedy to rise above politics and corruption. Transparency is the only key. Please pave the way to a better, more honest and more successful Philippines.

Yours truly,

Katherine Whellams

Filed under: Others Tagged: Haiyan, Philippine, SAUDI ARABIA, Tacloban, TyphoonYolanda, UNICEF, United States