Asean Humanitarian Centre Sends Aid To Typhoon Bopha Victims

Jakarta, Dec 14 (ANTARA) - The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) has sent aid to the victims of Typhoon Bopha that hit the Philippines last week. "We are working with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to learn more about the victims` need. We are also working with other ASEAN member countries to help meet those needs," AHA Centre Executive Director Said Faisal said here on Friday. The centre has sent three generators to three areas, Boston, New Bataan and Cagayan de Oro, in the Philippines. "We are also providing other resources and mobilization assistance to the Philippines on a solidarity basis," Said stated. "The 10 ASEAN member countries, including Indonesia, are coordinating with us on the emergency response needs of the victims in the Philippines and will send aid accordingly," he added. Meanwhile, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the Indonesian government, represented by National Defence Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono and the Consul General of Manila and Davao, provided US$1 million in aid to the Philippine government. The aid was symbolically received by Director of Civil Defence Region XI Liza Mazo, he noted. "The funds came from the National Disaster Management Agency as an expression of solidarity with the government of the Philippines," Sutopo explained. The Philippine government has also sought military assistance from Indonesia in order to search for the victims of Typhoon Bopha. Many Philippine fishermen are still missing. Other ASEAN member countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, also sent aid in the form of food, milk, tents and logistical support for disaster contingency planning. ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Alicia dela Rosa Bala said the assistance provided by the ASEAN member countries shows that ASEAN has become one of the leading organisations globally in providing humanitarian assistance. "From what we are seeing, the damage is severe. Therefore, more aid will be needed. We will do our best to assist the government and the disaster-affected communities in receiving what they need from the ASEAN family," she stated. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, the AHA Centre focuses on monitoring and emergency response activities in the ASEAN region. According to the data collected from the centre on Friday, Typhoon Bopha has so far claimed 902 lives in the Philippines, with 2661 people injured and 934 missing. Some 5 million Filipinos have been affected by the natural disaster.