TOKYO/MANILA – The Japanese government announced on Monday its plan to donate emergency supplies to support the typhoon relief efforts in the central and southern provinces of the Philippines.
“In light of the humanitarian perspective and the close relations between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines, Japan has decided to provide emergency assistance to the Philippines in support of survivors of the typhoon disaster,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement.
It added that the Japanese government will provide generators, portable jerry cans, tents, sleeping pads, and plastic sheets through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, in a tweet, expressed heartfelt sympathies to all the Filipinos affected by the typhoon and praised the country’s effort to respond to the calamity.
“My heart and prayers go out to everyone in large parts of Visayas and Mindanao hit by Typhoon #OdettePH. My deepest respect to the brave first responders of the ongoing disaster relief and recovery operations in the area. I hope for everyone's safety,” he said.
According to the Japan Embassy in Manila, the disaster relief goods will be shipped and in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and will immediately be distributed to areas devastated by the typhoon.
As of noontime Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 375 deaths due to the typhoon. - Florenda Corpuz
