MANILA, 28 September 2009 (IRIN): The Philippines government has appealed for international assistance as rescuers and relief workers are pushed to the limit, two days after tropical storm Ketsana pummelled the northern island of Luzon and metro Manila, killing at least 140 and affecting thousands.
According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), more than 453.000 people were affected, with about 116.000 in 200 evacuation centres.
The appeal was made as another tropical storm was bearing down on the Philippines, further impeding relief efforts.
– I have just authorized the sending-out of a flash appeal for assistance, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters Wednesday, adding that a letter would be sent to the UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines within Wednesday.
The appeal was for aid, heavy equipment, and possibly international rescue teams to assist local government units overwhelmed by the crisis, he said.
– We really cannot leave it too long and if we wait and events prove to be correct in accordance with predictions, we may be too late, so we are requesting international humanitarian assistance, he said.
Teodoro’s appeal came shortly after President Gloria Arroyo said the “once in a lifetime storm”, which dumped twice the amount of rain as Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans four years ago, had “strained our response capabilities to the limit”.
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