Canadian ambassador impressed by resilience of Filipinos
Newly-appointed Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder expressed his continued support for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) as he formally assumed his post after presenting his diplomatic credentials to President Benigno Aquino III Monday.
MANILA, Philippines – The newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines cited the “resilience and determination” of the Filipinos who are striving to rebuild their lives after the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan).
“We are all deeply impressed by the resilience and determination of the people of the Philippines to re-build and to recover from this tragedy, and by the on-going work of your government to lead the disaster relief and reconstruction effort,” Neil Reeder said in a statement Tuesday.
“Canadians, including the Filipino community in Canada, are reaching out to raise funds and assist those in need in your country,” he said.
Reeder presented his credentials to President Benigno Aquino III Monday the same time as the United States ambassador to the Philippines also presented his credentials to Aquino.
He also reiterated that the Canadian government would continue providing support to the people in the areas devastated by the typhoon.
“Canada has stood up to help through humanitarian assistance and with the presence of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Panay Island where they will provide safe water, medical and engineering services to your citizens, working closely with the local authorities,” Reeder said.
Canada has pledged to provide almost $25 million worth of foreign aid, according to the latest figures from the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub.
Some 170 personnel of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team have been deployed in the country to assist the local authorities.
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