Int’l migration body vows continuing support to PH

The International Organization on Migration (IOM) has pledged to maintain its support for the Philippines amid the reconstruction in the provinces devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” more than two months ago, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The foreign office said IOM director general William “Bill” Swing made the assurance to Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, the Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, during the latter’s call on Swing on Jan. 10.

“Director general Swing assured Ambassador Rebong of the continued support of the IOM for the Philippine government as it focuses on sustainable rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts and in drawing important lessons on post-disaster response which could be shared with the international community,” the DFA said in a statement over the weekend.

The DFA said Swing lauded the Philippine government “for its quick and comprehensive disaster management response in the wake of Yolanda,” with its implementation of a systematic cluster-based approach, along with the United Nations.

Swing said the coordination “could not have worked better, given the extent of damage to lives and property, without the strongly coordinated action and leadership demonstrated by the Philippine government,” according to the DFA.

During the meeting, Rebong affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to “building back better communities” in the provinces affected by the Nov. 8 typhoon. The super storm left widespread destruction across Central Philippines, affecting some 14 million people, including more than 6,000 who were killed and over 1,000 who remain missing.

Rebong also conveyed the Philippines’ gratitude to the IOM for its assistance in repatriating Filipinos from conflict-stricken countries in the Middle East and Africa, Syria among them. The IOM has been providing the Philippines with chartered flights to bring home large batches of repatriates. Tarra Quismundo