SAN FRANCISCO – Urgent and expedient.   

Thus Unicef Executive Director Ann Veneman endorsed the Philippine government’s request for almost $75 million from the United Nations to address the deadly consequences of Typhoon Ondoy.

Veneman joined the “flash appeal” to the UN after personally witnessing the casualty wrought by the Sept. 26 storm that inundated Metro Manila, at press time killing 337, leaving thousands homeless, and causing P10.45 billion in damage.

Veneman had yet to be briefed on the damage that followed in the wake of Typhoon Pepeng or Tropical Storm Parma, which at press time killed 332 in Mountain Province, isolated Baguio, and left P5.083 billion toll on agriculture and infrastructure.

In an exclusive briefing coordinated by “Philippine News” Oct. 9  at the Philippine Consulate General, Veneman shared observations from her 24-hour visit to Manila.

‘CRITICAL’

“Families have lost their loved ones…their homes and their livelihoods,” she said.

“So many are now being housed in schools.  Children have been severely traumatized…and getting them back into their daily routines is critical.”

Veneman said she had met with four Cabinet heads including the secretaries of Defense, Social Welfare and Agriculture, who reported on the status of relief efforts and gave recommendations to expedite recovery.

Veneman lauded both the National Disaster Coordinating Council and non-governmental organizations involved in relief efforts. While praising the government for making “more investment in prevention and early warning systems at a national level,” however, she emphasized the need to implement said systems “at the local level.”  

WARNING

Veneman’s support for the flash appeal came with a warning.

She urged the Philippine government to address key issues to deter recurrence of the dire consequences caused by Typhoon Ondoy.

“Increase in population and the need to feed that population, plus the growing climate change” are among the factors that exacerbated the impact of the Sept. 26 storm, said Veneman. “The Philippines needs more sustainable and productive agriculture to support its high rate of population increase, which is highest in the area where there has been a downward trend.”

Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr. thanked Veneman for supporting the appeal.  He concurred with Veneman’s assertion, pointing to the role the Catholic Church can play in addressing the issue.    

In joining the Philippine appeal, Veneman pointed to the “special relationship” between the Philippines and the United Nations.

“We have an office in Manila headed by the UN resident coordinator,” Veneman reminded, noting that the Philippines-UN “partnership” began in 1945 and “has progressed…into a number of development initiatives, activities and programs…as the country recovered from the ravages of World War II.”

Unicef is the agency focusing on the protection and education of children.  Veneman was U.S. secretary of agriculture prior to her appointment in 2005 by the UN secretary general as the fifth chief executive of Unicef.

Veneman defined a “flash appeal” as a “request for funds by UN agencies responding to a sudden humanitarian crisis to coordinate their response.”  The appeal “presents a unified set of funding needs to donors…provides a concise overview of urgent life-saving needs and a plan to address acute needs for up to six months.”

“The Philippine government is very determined to rebuild and move on,” said Veneman stressed.

ROUND-THE-CLOCK DONATION

Meanwhile the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco has designated space at the ground floor of 447 Sutter St. to accommodate relief goods for those affected by the recent storms in the Philippines. 

“Although donors are asked to drop off goods during office hours, we have a guard present around the clock, so we can accept donations throughout the 24 hours,” said Paynor, who expressed gratitude to donors and partners such as the freight forwarder LBC.

Paynor advised those who plan to donate clothing to give “new items” as is required by Philippine law intended to preserve the dignity of calamity survivors.  For more information, call the consulate at 415-433-6666.