GERMAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT LAMMERT  AND CHANCELLOR MERKEL EXPRESS SYMPATHIES FOR TYPHOON HAIYAN VICTIMS AT BUNDESTAG PLENARY SESSION

November 2013. Berlin.  President of the German Parliament (Bundestag) Dr. Norbert Lammert, at the beginning of the plenary session of the Parliament on Monday, expressed his sympathies for the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Speaking directly to Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, who was present at rostrum of the Bundestag, President Lammert spoke of the devastation caused by the typhoon of ‘apocalyptic proportions’. He noted that the images of the aftermath of the typhoon have ‘shocked us’ and emphasized that thousands have died and many people have lost their livelihood and need urgent help.

“We want to express that our thoughts are with you and the people of your country and we want exert best efforts to help alleviate suffering. Our condolences and concern for the families of the victims , our sympathies to the affected people . ”

After President Lammert’s speech, Chancellor Angela Merkel also spoke before the Bundestag and acknowledging the presence of Ambassador Natividad as representative of the Philippine Government, recalled her telephone conversation with President Benigno S. Aquino III and Germany’s commitment to help the victims of the typhoon.

On the same day, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also announced that Germany’s emergency aid will be increased by an additional two million euros, bringing the total of Germany’s humanitarian aid to 6.5 million euros. On top of this, German citizens have also raised 12.9 million euros through donations, or almost twice as much as the German government’s contribution. (END)

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announces more aid for Typhoon Haiyan victims during visit to the Philippine Embassy

15 November 2013, Berlin –    Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle  visited the Philippine Embassy in Berlin today to convey in person his message of condolences for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan to Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad.  FM Westerwelle also signed the condolence book in the presence of Embassy officials and gave a brief statement reiterating increased German support for relief and reconstruction in the afflicted Areas.

The Foreign Minister’s visit closely followed the telephone call between himself and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario on 14 November. FM Westerwelle expressed Germany’s sympathy to SFA del Rosario in light of the devastation and promised that Germany would contribute to the reconstruction of affected Areas.

After the call, the Federal Foreign Office (FFO) released a statement  that FM Westerwelle approved further 3 million euros of humanitarian aid. Coupled with the 1.5 million euros which have already been pledged, 4.5 million euros was made available for emergency humanitarian assistance. According to the FFO, the projects receiving funding include a Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement base camp, which has been erected by the German Red Cross in the region, and German aid organization measures, which aim to construct emergency shelter and restore the provision of water, medical and food supplies to the affected population.

Germany is among the first countries that immediately responded to the emergency situation in the Philippines by sending humanitarian aid and rescue and relief teams. The Philippines and Germany have long-standing bilateral diplomatic relations which will mark its 60th year in 2014. (END)