STATEMENT
OF H.E. MARIA CLEOFE NATIVIDAD
Philippine Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany
20 November 2013
On November 8, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines as a category 5 storm, possibly the most powerful storm ever recorded. Across 36 provinces, over thirteen million people were affected, four million displaced, and over four thousand deaths estimated in the wake of the typhoon.
The numbers fall short in conveying the scene, thick with desperation, of the countless survivors clamoring for food and aid. The numbers fail to convey the profound blow that the typhoon has exacted on the Filipino people, of a ‘national trauma’ collectively felt as the devastation rippled across the population. Just as the typhoon dealt its blow, so did it elicit the best of our virtues, the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ which saw communities across seven thousand islands pitching in the relief efforts, and enduring faith as thousands flock to the courtyards of ruined churches in the Visayas.
On behalf of the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Germany, I wish to express our deep gratitude for the generosity and kindness of the people and government of Germany.
In the aftermath of the typhoon, the Federal Government immediately extended a helping hand to the Philippines. President Joachim Gauck went out of his way to visit the Embassy and to personally convey his sincere condolences. Bundestag President Norbert Lammert paid his respects for the typhoon’s victims during the opening plenary of the Parliament. Chancellor Angela Merkel called President Benigno S. Aquino to offer support and express her message of sympathy. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also called the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and visited the Embassy to express his concern and condolences. Human rights commissioner Markus Löning himself witnessed the loading of relief goods from the Technische Hilfswerk and the German Red Cross via an emergency aid flight. German doctors were among those who first flew to the scene of the Devastation.
Germany’s emergency aid for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan now adds up to 6.5 million euros, and in addition to this amount from the Federal Government, German citizens have also raised 12.9 million euros through the efforts of the Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe.
We continue to receive messages of condolences and compassion as individuals and organizations continue to organize benefit concerts, football games, book sales, and fund-raising drives to help the survivors of the typhoon rebuild their lives and communities.
This outpour of aid from Germany and the international community and the messages of sympathy and solidarity from our friends in Germany, including the diplomatic corps in Berlin, will help us to rise in these challenging times.
Along with the Filipino community in Germany, and on behalf of the Philippines, we thank you. Maraming salamat po.
