MANILA - A national fund raising drive by Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss government has so far generated more than P1-billion for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.
"To fund the Swiss relief efforts, the Swiss Federal Government released P281 million (CHF 6
million) in immediate disaster assistance. A national fund raising drive undertaken by “Swiss Solidarity” to help Philippine disaster victims netted P760 million (CHF 16.1 million) by Monday evening, 18 November 2013, bringing the combined amount mobilized so far by the Swiss government and “Swiss Solidarity” alone to more than PHP 1 billion. Individuals, NGOs and companies in Switzerland continue to mobilize funding to assist the typhoon victims," the Embassy of Switzerland in Manila said in a statement.
Switzerland was quick to respond to the disaster by deploying teams of experts to seriously affected areas in Northern Cebu and Western Leyte.
"The experts of the Swiss Humanitarian Assistance Teams were the first foreign aid workers to help the gravely affected populations in Bogo, Daan Bantayan and Bantayan Island in Cebu and in Naval/Biliran and Ormoc in Western Leyte," the embassy said.
Currently, there are 20 professionals, medical doctors and health specialists, water and sanitation engineers, shelter experts and logisticians working round the clock out of their hub in Cebu City.
They continue to provide food and kitchen sets as well as hygiene and shelter-kits, which are procured locally, to tens of thousands of victims.
As of Monday, 21 tons of medical kits, food packs and shelter materials were shipped by air from Switzerland and distributed in coordination with local authorities to the needy in the disaster area.
Some of the Swiss government funds will be allocated to Switzerland’s international partner agencies.
Meanwhile, the embassy dispatched to Cebu and Leyte its consular personnel to assists Swiss citizens affected by the typhoon.
Swiss citizens in the affected areas are requested to contact the Swiss Embassy at 0917 528 5460.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
