China to give $2.4-M relief aid to PH after deadly typhoons

China on Tuesday said it is providing more than $2.4 million in funds and emergency supplies to the Philippines after back-to-back typhoons caused deadly floods and landslides in the country’s central and northern regions.

“In the spirit of humanity and friendship with the Philippine people, China has provided assistance in cash and emergency supplies to the Philippines, and some Chinese provinces are also extending a helping hand through channels between sister provinces,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing.

“We wish those affected will recover from the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.”

Both countries are locked in a territorial dispute over resource-rich territories in the South China Sea, which has worsened over the past year.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said part of its assistance includes $1 million in cash and 10 million RMB or about $1.4 million in kind.

The latest death toll from Sunday’s Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung Wong), which triggered flash floods, landslides and power outages in Northern Luzon, was recorded at 25, Philippine officials said.

On the other hand, 224 died, 526 were injured, and 109 were reported missing in the wake of the devastation from Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) last week.

The United States, Manila’s treaty ally, earlier said it is providing $1 million to support the Philippine government’s ongoing disaster relief operations in communities hit by Tino last Nov. 4 and the recent powerful earthquakes in Southern Philippines.

Washington said it will also send emergency shelter, logistics services, and safe water and sanitation to areas hardest hit by Tino, many of which are still recovering from successive storms and the Cebu Earthquake in September.

“China noted the huge casualties and loss of property in many places in the Philippines due to the recent typhoons,” said Lin.

“We mourn for the lives lost and extend sympathies to the families whose loved ones died or went missing in the typhoons. Our hearts go out to those affected by the disaster.”

Immediately after the typhoons, the Chinese Embassy said “relevant Chinese provinces, Chinese businesses in the Philippines, and local Chinese communities extended their helping hands to the affected population.”

“In the spirit of humanitarianism and out of the friendship between the Chinese and Filipino peoples, we sincerely hope that the Filipino people in the disaster-stricken areas will recover and rebuild their homes soon,” it said.

Earlier, the United Kingdom’s King Charles III expressed his sympathies to Filipinos affected by the recent typhoons, while Canada offered humanitarian assistance. — With reports from Mariel Celine Serquiña/JMA, GMA Integrated News