UAE sends condolences to PH after bad weather left 34 dead

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday extended its condolences to the Philippine government after Typhoon Emong, along with two other tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), drenched Metro Manila and northern and central Luzon this month, killing at least 34 people.

Tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, as well as the Habagat, caused massive flooding and landslides, prompting mass evacuations.

“The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of the Philippines over the victims of Typhoon Co-may (formerly Emong), which struck Luzon Island accompanied by heavy rainfall,” the UAE embassy in Manila said. “The typhoon resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, as well as significant damage to property.”

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs also conveyed its “sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of the Philippines over this tragedy, along with its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.”

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday that 18 were injured and seven others were missing.

More than 1.8 million families were affected by the disaster, and at least 20,000 remain in temporary government shelters. There were 586 road sections and 35 bridges damaged, it added.

The NDRRMC also said 50,772 farmers and fisherfolk were affected, while 193 cities and municipalities declared a state of calamity. —VBL, GMA Integrated News