RI to send 22 volunteers to disaster-struck Philippines

The Indonesian government will send 22 volunteers to the Philippines following tropical storm Washi that hit the neighboring archipelago and claimed almost 1,000 lives.

“The team consists of volunteers from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Health Ministry,” Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono said Wednesday as quoted by Kompas.com.

The government would also send food supplies and logistics to the disaster-struck country, he said.

The Philippine government had previously announced that the country was experiencing a national emergency after floods and landslides, triggered by the Washi storm, killed 957 people so far and left tens of thousands homeless.

“Our priority is to relocate the residents to places that are no longer dangerous for them,” Phillippine President Benigno Aquino said on Tuesday.

He said that the government would work hard to aid the victims and prevent loss of life. (awd)