Japan to Send More Aid to Quake-Stricken Cebu

TOKYO – Japan is sending additional emergency relief supplies to the Philippines to help communities affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu on Sept. 30.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government will provide tents, blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, portable jerry cans, and water purifiers through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“In light of the humanitarian perspective and the close relations between Japan and the Philippines, Japan has decided to provide emergency assistance to support the people affected by the earthquake,” the ministry said Friday.

The aid follows an earlier mission by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) C-130 transport aircraft that delivered drinking water to Cebu as part of the first operation conducted under the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).

As of Oct. 9, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 74 deaths in Central Visayas and 559 injuries.

Japan had earlier expressed readiness to assist the Philippines in its relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake. - Florenda Corpuz

(Bottled drinking water is loaded onto an aircraft in Cebu on Oct. 9 to support communities affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake. Photo courtesy of Philippine Air Force)