Taiwan plans to continue its aid to typhoon victims in the Philippines, an official said yesterday, one day after the country’s latest shipment of relief supplies departed on navy vessel.
An official account for public donations has received more than NT$13.15 million (US$444,480) so far and will continue to accept donations through Dec. 14, said Wu Rong-chuan (吳榮泉), director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of NGO International Affairs.
The account and supply shipments are part of Taiwan’s aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which left thousands dead and tens of thousands in the central Philippines.
Asked whether Taiwan will give the money directly to the Philippine government or use it to purchase relief supplies, Wu said the matter had not yet been decided.
“We will make a decision after discussing with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development on their needs,” he replied.
On Monday, a Navy vessel departed from Zuoying Naval Base in Greater Kaohsiung with 530 tonnes of relief supplies and equipment headed for Cebu.
The shipment of canned food, rice, clothes, water, tents and generators is expected to arrive in Cebu within days, according to the ministry.
Haiyan, called Yolanda in the Philippines, left at least 5,240 people dead as of yesterday morning, according to a report from the Philippines’ ABS-CBN news network.
Meanwhile, dozens of top international stars have donated songs to an album aimed at raising relief funds for the Philippines.
Songs by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beyonce, U2 and Bruno Mars are among the 39 donated to Songs for the Philippines, available for purchase on Monday at iTunes and for streaming on iTunes Radio.
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