Indonesia empathizes with the PhilippinesJakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian government will send 2,000 tons of rice to the victims of Typhoon Bopha in Davao, Mindanao, the Philippine on Friday (Jan 4/2013), spokesman of the Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare office has said.
"The rice originating from the Manado (North Sulawesi) logistic agency warehouse, will be shipped into KRI Makassar on January 4," Safri Burhanuddin, information bureau chief of the Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare office said here on Wednesday.
The rice shipment will be handled by Army personnel grouped in two companies of the regional military resort "Korem 131/Santiago", he said, adding that the rice will be sent to Davao after the shipment completion.
On December 29, 2012, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare, Agung Laksono, representing the Indonesian government, delivered humanitarian aid to the Philippine government for the victims of Typhoon Bopha in Davao, Mindanao.
"As a country with a potential for natural disasters, Indonesia empathizes with the Philippines as it goes through this difficult time, especially with those who have lost loved ones," the Minister said.
Indonesia, for the second time, donated staple goods to the victims of a natural disaster in the Philippines, including 2,500 blankets, 2,500 tarpaulins, and 2,000 tonnes of rice.
Earlier, the Indonesian government donated US$1 million and 40 million tonnes of staple food to the Philippines, which was delivered by Commander Admiral of Indonesian National Army, Agus Suhartono, while performing joint exercises with the Philippine`s military.
Eight provinces in Palawan and Mindanao in the Philippines were hit by Typhoon Bopha on December 4, 2012. The typhoon, which came ashore 70 kilometers south of Tagbilaran City, struck 207 cities with winds of 160 kilometers per hour.
Current reports indicate the number of Philippine citizens affected by Typhoon Bopha has reached 394,778 families, or 1,765,710 people.
Data released on December 17 from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) noted 648 deaths, 3,227 injuries, and 569 people missing. As many as 27,108 people had been evacuated and are being housed in 110 emergency shelters.
Also, the typhoon has resulted in 80,327 damaged houses and some heavily damaged public facilities, such as 12 bridges and 4 main roads.
From the result of preliminary calculations, total losses due to the natural disaster has reached US$413 million.
(B003)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
