Malaysian aid group helps in Philippine typhoon relief efforts

MANILA, Philippines—A 56-man team from a Malaysian non-governmental organization will be coming to the Philippines to assist in relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha), the worst storm to hit the country this year.

In its report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released Saturday, the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the team from the Malaysian NGO Kelab Putera 1Malaysia will undertake a five-day humanitarian volunteer mission to Davao and adjoining areas devastated by the typhoon.

The group, composed of medical officers, logistics officers, counselors, and first-aid response, is expected to leave Malaysia on December 23, the DFA said.

In a statement, Kelab Putera 1Malaysia president Datuk Hj Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim said that the group has been tasked by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najb bin Tun Razak to provide assistance to those affected by the typhoon as a “way to express solidarity with their Filipino brethren, especially during Christmas time.”

Datuk Hj Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia on December 19.

The DFA noted that Kelab Putera 1Malaysia has undertaken around 30 humanitarian missions in areas such as Japan, New Zealand, Somalia, Syria and Palestine.

Latest reports noted that the death toll from Pablo, which battered Visayas and Mindanao in early December, rose to 1,046, while 841 remained missing.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also said that damages from the onslaught of the typhoon was pegged at P24 billion,  and that P16 billion were damages from agriculture.