MFA Press Release : Transcript of Minister in Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Second Minister for the Environment & Water Resources Grace Fu's Reply to Parliamentary Question on Typhoon Haiyan, 20 January 2014

TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER IN PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND SECOND MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES GRACE FU’S REPLY TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON TYPHOON HAIYAN, 20 JANUARY 2014

 QUESTION :-

Dr LIM WEE KIAK :  To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what kind of assistance has the Government rendered to help the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in its aftermath; and (b) what is the collective response of ASEAN to this natural disaster in our region.

REPLY:

MIN GRACE FU :  Singapore was one of the first countries to render assistance on the ground to the Philippines in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.  MINDEF deployed two RSAF C-130 aircrafts to bring across and distribute a substantial amount of essential relief supplies like tents, blankets and medical supplies to communities devastated by the typhoon.  At the Philippines’ request, one C-130 remained behind to support the Philippine government’s relief efforts, ferrying relief supplies and personnel between Tacloban, one of the worst-hit cities, and Manila.  Our SCDF promptly deployed a two-man team to assist the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in emergency relief efforts in affected areas. 

2                 The Singapore Government also donated S$200,000 to kick-start the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) fundraising effort for the typhoon victims.  The SRC has so far raised S$9.4 million, thanks to the outpouring of generosity from Singaporeans.  This was complemented by the fund-raising and humanitarian efforts of Non-governmental Organisations like Mercy Relief, and local groups which organized charity concerts and sporting events.  Many of these efforts are still ongoing, which is a testament to the solidarity and deep kinship that Singapore shares with the Philippines. 

3                 We also asked the Philippines what supplies they most urgently required so that we could send them these items directly.  Less than a week after MINDEF’s first deployment, the Singapore Government contributed several tonnes of potable water, and 90 boxes of medical supplies.  These supplies were handed over to the Philippine Embassy in Singapore by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

4                 On the regional front, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, or AHA Centre, was proactive in assisting the Philippines.  An emergency team was despatched to the Philippines one day before the typhoon made landfall to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts on the ground.  ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, in his capacity as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator, also visited the disaster-hit areas and met with Philippine officials to discuss how ASEAN could further contribute to recovery efforts.  The Philippines is now embarking on the arduous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation.  This will require support from ASEAN and the international community. We will continue to do what is within our means, both bilaterally and through ASEAN, to assist and support the Philippines in its recovery and reconstruction process. 

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