This handout photo taken and received on October 28, 2022 from the Philippines Marines Battalion Landing Team 5 shows a resident standing next to a damaged house and vehicle after a landslide due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Nalgae in Parang town in the southern Philippines’ Maguindanao province. – Landslides and flooding killed 31 people as heavy rain from approaching storm Nalgae lashed the southern Philippines, a disaster official said on October 28. (Photo by Handout / PHILIPPINES MARINES BATTALION LANDING TEAM 5 / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines – The ambassadors of foreign countries to the Philippines on Saturday said they are monitoring the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) in the country, as they expressed readiness to extend assistance.
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson said in a Twitter post that her team is ready to work with the Philippine government to assist those affected by Paeng.
“Our team is monitoring developments closely [and] stands ready to work with the [Philippine] government to assist. Please stay safe,” said Carlson.
Heartbreaking to see the devastating effects of #PaengPH. I offer my thoughts & prayers to all who are affected, especially friends & loved ones of the deceased. Our team is monitoring developments closely & stands ready to work with the 🇵🇭 government to assist. Please stay safe.
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) October 29, 2022
British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils also gave an assurance that the British government is ready to extend its support.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to support,” said Beaufils.
Beaufils also expressed sadness at the number of reported deaths in Paeng’s wake. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has placed the death at 45.
I am heartbroken to hear that more than 70 people have been killed by landslides & floods caused by Tropical Storm #PaengPH. All of @ukinphilippines and I are thinking of those affected by this tragedy. We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to support.
— Laure Beaufils 🇬🇧 (@LaureBeaufils) October 29, 2022
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko also extended his sympathies on social media.
“It’s heartbreaking to know the devastation Paeng has already caused, especially to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
Paeng is currently barreling across the country, and is set to make a fifth landfall in Batangas on Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
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