Super Typhoon to hit Philippines

I can confirm that traders are profiteering as a close friend discovered when sending money and supplies to Samar.

And some history - same in 1897 and 1912

I can't read those as I'm just getting thumbnails. any idea where I can get them as I'd like to read it.

EDIT: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...eports-tacloban-storm-killing-15000-resurface

Yes, thanks. I was just about to go to the opticians.

I received a company email today regarding the typhoon. The company is asking for donations for the appeal. Whatever is raised by the employees the company will match. My company employs around 30,000 people globally, of which 2,500 are employed in the Philippines, hence the appeal. Glad to see they've actively initiated this.

Maharg, try these

http://wp.me/a41c7N-1J
http://wp.me/a41c7N-1L
http://wp.me/a41c7N-1K

Much better. Thanks.

In general, I tend to agree. But I do give credence to reports made by the Expat community here such as the two that have so far been posted on this new thread. In both cases, aid has been refused to those married to a foreigner or have a foreigner boyfriend - which is a bit much considering the amount of foreign aid pouring into this country. Which brings me on to my next point.

If you get your news solely from Philippine media, then you would believe that only the Philippine authorities are giving aid to the victims of the typhoon. There are no pictures and no mention of foreign aid whatsoever. The government here claims complete transparency with regard to foreign aid and has set up a "FAITH" (Foreign Aid Transparency Hub) web site which it says lists all the foreign aid pledged. But there are some serious omissions including the £55 million so far pledged by the DEC appeal - some of which is now arriving here.

By UN request and with Philippine government approval, all foreign aid arriving by air is now consigned to Cebu where there is a joint UK/US team to meet handle it, the British members of which include personnel from DfID and the Royal Air Force ground and logistics support. One of the reasons given was to relieve the operational pressure on Manila Airport but I suspect the need to protect the aid from the repackers was also a factor.

HMS Illustrious arrived in Singapore at noon on Wednesday and her crew immediately started a massive storing exercise - - the loading of 500 tonnes of aid supplies:



As is normal with a warship, stores are walked on board or, as here, by pass the parcel:


The carrier's hangar:


"Lusty", as she is affectionately known, has since departed Sembawang naval shipyard, Singapore and should be entering Philippine waters either late this evening or early tomorrow morning. She will be relieving HMS Daring which will resume its round-the-world tour.

A civilian Antonov, chartered by the British government, arrived in Cebu with heavy equipment including rough-terrain airfield handling units (big and beefy fork-lift trucks) and three JCBs. Further equipment arrived from RAF Brize Norton on board a C-130 which is to be based on Cebu for a while.

The UK government's total spend is now greater than any other country's including the US ($56 million versus $45 million) and if the amount raised by the DEC appeal is added, the UK's total, I believe, just tops all other countries combined (UN bodies and World Bank excluded)! Well done, UK!

By the by, all the RAF aid flights from the UK have come via a Singapore refuelling stop. As this adds several hundred miles to the trip, I am wondering if the reason for that diversion is that the Chinese government will not permit RAF flights to overfly China and allow those flights to refuel in Hong Kong.

One thing is certain, Aquino vs Romualdez (Imelda's family) are bitter enemies. There will be finger pointing and politics every step of the way plus 2016 is just around the corner.

If anyone wants to help, do it through your respective countries or private individuals.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...21291.120651307945347&type=1&relevant_count=1

Well an update of the aid so far received in the Macarthur area, where it is greatly needed.

1kg of yellow, spoiled rice has now been given to a few people. On top of that, er... nope, that's it.

So where is all this supposed aid we hear about?

Rice was only given to people after an interview with officials. You had to pass this interview just to given some crap rice that nobody can sell. And it happened just once.

And, yes, as Markham mentioned, you dare not let on about having relatives overseas or you get nothing.

This came from a friend of my wife. We don't know yet if her family actually managed to get hold of their 1kg of spoiled, yellow rice or not.

This message was posted on an Expat site yesterday by a Brit living in Ormoc, Leyte:

Do watch the ANC report - it's in English - which details more aid abuses taking place in Leyte,

This is dreadful.


Really shameful.

When people in other nations who have donated find out what has happened to their donations the backlash against the Philippines will be immense.

Striking video clip posted on Rappler;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rS0gv4Xbw7w

I think it is still difficult getting off the island of Leyte via Ormoc as the ferries are full. But getting a round trip ticket from Cebu to Ormoc seems to be no problem at all.

My friend's sister managed to get the round trip ticket to Ormoc when my friend could get no ticket from Ormoc to Cebu. Thankfully, my friend's sister could bring relief supplies and money; hopefully enough until some order is restored.

I am guessing there is still no cellphone coverage and/or electricity on Biliran Island (just off north coast of Leyte) as I have not heard anything since my friend returned there. She could get no food supplies from the government when she was in Ormoc.

Some friends in Subic are sending a medical team by truck(s); they have got a couple of truckloads through OK so far.

A spot of ingenuity; they are not taking tents, they will be using out of date 25 man liferafts donated by a cruise line.

Thing is though, nobody cares - at least those who should care, don't. Some got their emergency aid and some didn't; others will make fortunes out of the aid donations. Those who survive this time will cry crocodile tears when the next disaster hits and nobody rushes to their assistance. That is all part of the Philippine me-first, live-for-the-day, crab mentality.

I was discussing this with a friend in Subic Bay. I was explaining, rather than defending, the behaviour of the local officials by saying that such behaviour is typical of small minded local elected officials anywhere, and that is what one expects in Africa and Latin America, etc. and he brought me up short by saying (and he has lived in Korea, and I in China) that this is NOT what happens elsewhere in East Asia. I had to agree that he was right.

It may well fuel the next generation of Freedom Fighter / Terrorists though and wont add to the attractiveness of the Philippines as a desirable place to live

I came to a similar conclusion.