OIC team in Cagayan de Oro to assess 'Sendong' victims' needs

A four-member team of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is now in Cagayan de Oro City to assess the needs of victims of tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi).

 

The OIC team's mission is to look into how its member-states could extend assistance to the affected communities, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on its official website.

 

"The delegation, headed by Director Fuad Ali Al-Maznaee of the OIC Humanitarian Affairs Department, arrived in Cagayan de Oro on December 26 for a four-day visit to the devastated areas," the DFA said.

 

DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Benito Ramos welcomed the delegation, which included Ibrahim Abdulla al-Khuzayem, Executive Director of the OIC Islamic Solidarity Fund.

 

Also in the OIC delegation are Saif Taher, Director for Muslim Communities and Minorities and Abdoulaye Kebe of the Humanitarian Affairs Department.

 

"The Philippines appreciates this kind gesture from our brothers in the OIC," the DFA quoted Seguis as telling the delegation.

 

Seguis noted this was the first time the OIC has dispatched a needs-assessment mission to the Philippines to look into how member-states can help communities in Mindanao "that were affected by a disaster of this magnitude."

 

In its report Tuesday morning, the NDRRMC said "Sendong" has so far affected 113,336 families or 719,485 people in 789 villages in 56 towns and eight cities in 13 provinces. 

 

The estimated cost of damage to property as of Tuesday amounted to P1,143,671,975.

 

The NDRRMC and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) briefed the team on the ongoing relief efforts and the long-term requirements of the affected communities.

 

The DFA noted OIC Secretary General Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu himself dispatched the mission.

 

Earlier, Ihsanoglu called on the OIC's 57 member-states to extend all vital assistance to the affected people in the Philippines "to help save lives and rebuild the livelihood after these deadly and devastating floods."

 

Foreign aid has been pouring in for the victims of Sendong, which has left over 1,000 dead.

 

DFA official checks on consular office in CDO

 

Meanwhile, Seguis also visited the DFA Regional Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro to look into the situation of DFA employees there.

 

He was told at least two employees lost their belongings due to "Sendong." –CGL/KG, GMA News