... Indonesia empathizes with the Philippines as it goes through this difficult time, especially with those who have lost loved ones... "
Bitung, North Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Indonesian warship KRI Makassar-590 has left for Mindanao, the Philippines with 2,000 tons of rice for the victims of typhoon Bopha that swept through the southern Philippine area on December 4, 2012.

Speaking after dispatching the ship from Bitung port on Friday, North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo H Sarudajang said the humanitarian aid from Indonesia was expected to be useful for the disaster-affected Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) spokesman Budi Saputro said the humanitarian aid was very important as a form of solidarity to the Filipinos who were affected by the typhoon.

"The aid should be given to them because there are around 30 thousands Indonesians in the neighbor country of the Philippines," Saputro said.

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 at the time.

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.

(O001/F001)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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