Lily B. Libo-on
14 January 2012
DUBAI - The Hakbang Buhay 2012, the charity walk for typhoon Sendong victims held at Safa Park here on January 6, raised Dh67,894.50, Lucille A. Ong of the Philippine Business Council (PBC), organiser of the event, said on Thursday. She said over 2,500 Filipino expatriates, their friends and people of other nationalities participated in the walk. ?The amount received has been turned over to the UAE Red Crescent (Dubai branch).?Ong also revealed that the PBC, with which the member organisations of the Filipino Community (FILCOM) partnered, is continuing the charity fund drive with Red Crescent boxes placed at strategic locations like Barrio Fiesta in BurJuman and Giordano outletsin Karama, Reef Mall and Al Ghurair. ?We are also continuing our corporate fundraising from corporate donors.? The donations will be collected till this month end. Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General released an update of the relief operations in the affected areas as a result of the coordination meeting convened on January 6 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC in Manila.Vice-Consul Gerry Suliguin said operations in the areas affected by Sendong are in the early recovery stage. Priority needs are tents, blankets, folding beds, temporary shelters, cooking utensils, GI sheets, generators and school supplies for children.He said the Office of Civil Defence (OCD) of the NDRRMC is the focal point for the logistical requirements for the transport of humanitarian supplies coursed through government agencies while the World Food Programme (WFP) handles the international organisations and non-government organizations. ?While donations of used clothing are accepted, it is still discouraged. Cash donations are encouraged.? He also said donations not covered by diplomatic notes/bilateral agreements will have to pass through the One-Stop Shop for clearance in Cagayan de Oro head by the Bureau of Customs with the DSWD as the primary consignee. A similar desk will be opened in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) this week. ?The Department of Health (DoH) encourages donations in cash instead of medicines. The DoH shall advise if there is a need for medical missions.?The Consulate General in Dubai thanked the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates for all the efforts to provide succour and relief to the victims of typhoon Sendong.The consulate also advised donors to contact these coordinators in the affected areas like Dragoslav Djuraskovic (Manila), Djuraskovic@wfp.org, +63917 829-317; Anna Young (Cagayan de Oro), anna.young@wfp.org, +63971 880-9371; and UN World FoodProgramme-Philippines, 5/F GC Corporate Plaza, 150 Legazpi St, Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229 Philippines, +632 750-2561. lily@khaleejtimes.comView the original article here
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