PH gives help to Bahamas

MANILA-- The Philippine government has extended financial aid to The Bahamas to contribute in its relief efforts following the devastation left by Hurricane Dorian, which hit the country last September.

The assistance amounting to USD97,643.42 or at least PHP4,943,198 was turned over by Philippine Ambassador to the Philippines Jose Manuel Romualdez to Ambassador Sidney Collie who represented The Bahamas during a ceremony on December 16 at the Embassy of The Bahamas in the US.

“As a nation that is no stranger to natural calami

ties, the Philippines would like to express its strong solidarity with the Bahamian people who have shown admirable resilience and courage during these difficult times,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“Nearly two thousand Filipinos call The Bahamas their second home and it is in this spirit of community that we demonstrate our support to the Bahamians,” he added.

Hurricane Dorian was said to be the strongest tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas and is considered as the costliest disaster in the country’s history. More than three months since the hurricane, the official death toll has reached 70 with at least 300 people still reported missing.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination

of Humanitarian Affairs, while people are returning to the island, “the emergency relief phase is transitioning to long-term recovery” and there are needs for ongoing interventions related to healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene.

From September 25 to October 1, a team from the Philippine embassy provided relief and consular assistance to Filipinos affected by the hurricane.

The team, led by Consul General Renato Villa, also met with officials of the Bahamian Government to discuss recovery and reconstruction initiatives as well as the welfare of the migrant worker population. (PNA)