Malaysia sends humanitarian aid to Bopha victims in southern Philippines

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KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen Malaysian volunteers left for Mindanao yesterday with 13 tonnes of food, clothing and daily essentials for victims of typhoon Bopha which lashed southern Philippines on Monday.

The humanitarian aid mission departed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Airport in Subang carrying goods worth RM350,000 aboard a RMAF Charlie aircraft.

It was witnessed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Senator A Kohilan Pillay.

The volunteers were accompanied by members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, National Security Council, journalists and television cameramen.

Earlier, Kohilan opened the Asean Disaster Emergency Stockpile Centre at RMAF Airport.

The centre is run by the Asean Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) and the World Food Programme of the United Nations (UN).

Also present were the executive director of AHA Centre on disaster management Said Faisal and Asean deputy secretary (Socio-cultural community), Alicia Dela Rosa Bala.

“Malaysia is strategically located as it is free from threat of natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes. This advantage gives us the opportunity to help countries in dire need of aid.” Kohilan said the RMAF also plays a
role in providing logistics services and humanitarian aid when natural disasters hit this region.

Said Faisal said Jakarta-based AHA Centre serves as early detector of natural disasters before coordinating humanitarian aid missions to the affected countries.

“Established in 2011, the AHA Centre is the best platform to strengthen ties between Asean countries, particularly in the management of natural disasters,” he added. — Bernama