Yolanda havoc: China in touch with Philippines on medical assistance

Super typhoon Yolanda victims ask for food and water
from motorists along a highway going to Maya port
in Cebu on Sunday. Photo by Erik de Castro, Reuters

MANILA - Amid the criticisms it received after its initial modest response to the victims of Yolanda in the Philippines, China said it is ready to dispatch emergency medical assistance teams in the affected areas.

“China pays high attention to the disaster caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and has stated many times that it will consider continuing to provide humanitarian assistance for the disaster-stricken areas in accordance with the development of the situation and the needs of the Philippines,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said.

“China has been in touch with the Philippines on providing medical assistance,” he said, adding that that as soon as conditions permit, the rescue teams will be dispatched as soon as possible.

Hong said non-governmental relief agencies such as the Blue Sky Search & Rescue Team, which is affiliated with the Red Cross Society of China, have already expressed their readiness to be dispatched.

Power restoration

The Chinese embassy in Manila also noted that the China National Grid, Huawei Co. and other Chinese companies “have already been working in the worst-hit area to help restore the facilities of power and communications.”

The China National Grid is the technical partner of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

China initially announced a $100,000 cash donation, pushing analysts to report, including one from Time magazine, that “the world’s second largest economy off-loads insultingly small change on a storm-battered Philippines.”

Social media was also quick to react on the matter.

China and the Philippines are disputing ownership over the West Philippine Sea.