Chinese aid for typhoon victims arrives in Philippines

CEBU, Pilippines - The first batch of Chinese aid for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan arrived in central Philippine city of Cebu, a relief goods distribution center, on Monday evening.

The relief aid including tents and blanket, shipped by a cargo plane of China Eastern Airlines, was handed over to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and then will be sent to Tacloban, a worst-hit city in central Philippine province of Leyte.

Mercedita Jabagat, director of Philippine Region Seven Office, said the tents and blankets are badly needed for those who survived the deadly Typhoon Haiyan, adding that the Filipinos appreciate the support from China.

Wu Zhengping, counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy, said Typhoon Haiyan has caused enormous losses to the Philippines, raising great concern of international community. China acts with compassion and kindness, and is willing to offer a helping hand to typhoon victims.

China will continue providing assistance of all forms to the victims, he added.

China provides 10 million RMB (73.2 million pesos) worth of relief goods to assist communities devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, apart from $200,000 donated by the Chinese government and China Red Cross.

To date, Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest of its kind for this year around the world, has killed 3,976 people and injured 18,175 in central Philippines. Another 1,598 people are still missing. Economic losses topped 10.38 billion pesos ($238.24 million).