‘Sendong’ victims get P22M in int’l aid

MANILA, Philippines—Donations to victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong” from the international community as well as Filipinos overseas have topped $22,443.887.98 (roughly P1 billion), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The amount includes donations from Philippine embassies and consulates around the world and private individuals and groups. It does not include donations or pledges without equivalent monetary value, or that given to the United Nations flash appeal.

The amount is broken down into $11,495,824.03 in cash, $5,354.063.95 in kind and $5,594,000 in pledges.

New donors included France ($64,558.50), Timor Leste ($750,000), Canada ($1,226,546.13) and the Russian Embassy in Manila ($964.49). Spain provided additional assistance in the amount of $1,576,325.89.

The Filipino community in Suzhou, China, donated $1,850.47 while the Philippine consulate in Melbourne gave $23,344.78. The Filipino community in the United States Northeast provided an additional $7,270.

Private companies have also provided assistance.  Japanese companies Marubeni, AEON Co. Ltd and Toshiba gave $129,573.29, $64,786.42 and $129,573.29, respectively, while the Asean Women’s Circle in Riyadh gave $765.55. Korean companies have pledged to give $110,000.