"The humanitarian aid will consist of basic needs for the victims, such as blanket, food, generators and communications tools," Executive Director of the AHA Centre, Said Faisal, said here on Tuesday after meeting with officials from ASEAN member countries in Jakarta.
The aid is expected to reach victims within this week, while aid officials wait for further clearance and coordination with the government of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Deputy of the Philippines mission to ASEAN, Leonardo Caliboso, expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian aid offered by ASEAN.
"Our focus right now is how to provide basic needs for the victims of the typhoon, such as food, clothing, electricity and temporary shelter," he said.
However, he admitted that it is not easy to deliver aid to the impacted areas, especially to Tacloban city, the most devastated part of the country hit by the category 5 Typhoon Haiyan. Roads are still inaccessible, as debris from buildings, and even bodies of victims, have not yet being cleared.
Until now, all humanitarian aid from foreign countries and NGOs is being stored in Cebu city, near Tacloban. Helicopters will bring this aid to areas that sustained the most damage.
Recent data said 255 people have been found dead due to the typhoon. Estimates of material losses are still being compiled, but it is said that some 9 million people have been impacted by the disaster.
(A051/INE/B003)
(A051/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: Amie Fenia Arimbi
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
