US relays condolences, solidarity to PHL over Yolanda

The United States on Saturday (Manila time) relayed its condolences to the Filipino people for the losses they suffered from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

In a statement, US State Secretary John Kerry also offered solidarity with the Filipino people as they recover from the huge losses inflicted by Yolanda.

"On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer our deepest condolences and solidarity as you wrestle with the devastation and loss of life that accompanied Super Typhoon Haiyan," he said.

Kerry noted a powerful storm had also prevented him from visiting the Philippines ealrier this

"Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before," he said.

Kerry also said the US is confident the Filipino people's spirit is strong, and that the US "stands ready to help."

"Your spirit is strong. The United States stands ready to help, our embassies in the Philippines and Palau are in close contact with your governments, and our most heartfelt prayers are with you," he said.

Offers of help start coming in from int'l community

Offers of help from the international community to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda are starting to come in, a day after the cyclone battered several parts of the country.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington on Friday night said Americans are giving offers of help including K-9 units and emergency power restoration facilities.

"Offers of assistance received by the Philippine Embassy from Americans include canine dogs and emergency power restoration services," it said on its Twitter account.

Meanwhile, a Catholic group is sending some 8,000 tarpaulins to Cebu City to help families affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Catholic Relief Services also said its response teams are traveling to the areas hit hardest by the typhoon to determine what people there need.

“The pain of another disaster is devastating. We’re currently moving tarpaulins to Cebu City so that we can provide 8,000 families with inevitable shelter needs. Our response teams are traveling to the areas hardest hit to determine exactly what people need and how CRS can help them,” said Greg Auberry, CRS’ regional director for Southeast Asia.

Yolanda on Friday swept through parts of Visayas and Luzon, disrupting power and communications.

CRS noted that for Cebu and Bohol, Yolanda occurred barely less than a month after a magnitude-7.2 quake jolted the Central Visayas region.

"Especially vulnerable are the roughly 281,000 people living in makeshift shelters and tents near their homes. Another 89,000 people are living in evacuation centers and spontaneous settlements. The typhoon will cross relatively close to Bohol with heavy rains," CRS said.

Also, CRS said it will work with local governments, Caritas partners and local parishes in the Philippines to maximize its response and recovery efforts.

In turn, it said people who need it most get the help they need.

Australia

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said Australia is working closely with the Philippine government on the impact of Yolanda.

"The Australian Government is working closely with our partners, including in the Philippine Government, to obtain more information on the impacts of the typhoon and the situation going forward," Tweddell said.

"On behalf of the Australian Government and people, I extend our heartfelt sympathies for the massive destruction resulting from Typhoon Yolanda," he added.

Tweddell said Australia, as a close friend of the Philippines, is "deeply concerned for the Filipino people at this difficult time."

He admired the resilience and courage that Filipinos demonstrate under extreme pressure.

"I note that relief and recovery efforts are still ongoing in areas that were severely affected by the Bohol earthquake and the typhoon that also battered Northern Luzon just last week," he added. — VC, GMA News