Over 2,000 Filipinos and other expatriates in the United Arab Emirates held a charity walk last Friday to raise funds to help the survivors of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi).
The expatriates gathered at Al Safa Park in Dubai to donate cash as requested by organizers, who cited difficulties in delivering aid in kind, news site Gulf News reported Saturday.
“It’s very touching that they [participants] are here even on their day off. I’m very happy to see them come to help our compatriots back home. I’m really very grateful,” said Pamela Lico, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, one of the areas hit hardest by Sendong.
Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano, Labor Attache Amilbahar Amilasan, and UAE Red Crescent Dubai manager Mohammad Al Zarouni led the 3.4-km walk around the park.
The Philippine School’s Drum and Lyre Corps provided music throughout the walk dubbed “Hakbang Buhay 2012 (Walk for Life).”
Initiated by the Philippine Business Council (PBC) with the help of the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the charity event was able to raise a “generous amount,” the report said.
“We are here to raise funds because it’s [easy to send cash] to the victims. If you donate in kind, the sheer logistics of getting the donations to the victims is a nightmare,” said Lucille Ong, president of the Philippine Business Council.
She added the Red Crescent also did its bit by sending $100,000 to the typhoon victims.
“[Donations are in] cash so that we can give it to the [Philippines] Red Cross and it’s their decision to use the cash for whatever is necessary, be it first relief or rehabilitation,” Ong said.
Gulf News also cited an emergency management specialist with a decade of experience in disaster management in the Philippines as saying recovery and rehabilitation should be everyone’s concern now.
“The immediate needs have been addressed. We should focus on recovery and rehabilitation, on long-term projects such as building better and stronger homes for the displaced families,” said Arnel Capili, a corporate emergency management specialist at Dubai Municipality.
“Victims should not be treated as passive recipients of aid. The donors can coordinate with non-government organizations to best use the money for proper relocation of their houses away from hazards and for livelihood projects,” Capili added.
Source: GMA News
The expatriates gathered at Al Safa Park in Dubai to donate cash as requested by organizers, who cited difficulties in delivering aid in kind, news site Gulf News reported Saturday.
“It’s very touching that they [participants] are here even on their day off. I’m very happy to see them come to help our compatriots back home. I’m really very grateful,” said Pamela Lico, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, one of the areas hit hardest by Sendong.
Philippine Consul General Benito Valeriano, Labor Attache Amilbahar Amilasan, and UAE Red Crescent Dubai manager Mohammad Al Zarouni led the 3.4-km walk around the park.
The Philippine School’s Drum and Lyre Corps provided music throughout the walk dubbed “Hakbang Buhay 2012 (Walk for Life).”
Initiated by the Philippine Business Council (PBC) with the help of the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the charity event was able to raise a “generous amount,” the report said.
“We are here to raise funds because it’s [easy to send cash] to the victims. If you donate in kind, the sheer logistics of getting the donations to the victims is a nightmare,” said Lucille Ong, president of the Philippine Business Council.
She added the Red Crescent also did its bit by sending $100,000 to the typhoon victims.
“[Donations are in] cash so that we can give it to the [Philippines] Red Cross and it’s their decision to use the cash for whatever is necessary, be it first relief or rehabilitation,” Ong said.
Gulf News also cited an emergency management specialist with a decade of experience in disaster management in the Philippines as saying recovery and rehabilitation should be everyone’s concern now.
“The immediate needs have been addressed. We should focus on recovery and rehabilitation, on long-term projects such as building better and stronger homes for the displaced families,” said Arnel Capili, a corporate emergency management specialist at Dubai Municipality.
“Victims should not be treated as passive recipients of aid. The donors can coordinate with non-government organizations to best use the money for proper relocation of their houses away from hazards and for livelihood projects,” Capili added.
Source: GMA News
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