The government and people of Taiwan convey their condolences to those affected by Typhoon Rai, which struck the central and southern regions of the Philippines Dec. 16, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Official statistics reveal that ensuing floods and landslides have affected more than 780,000 households in the Southeastern Asia country, the MOFA said, adding that this resulted in nearly 150 deaths and over US$3.5 million in agricultural and infrastructure losses.
In the aftermath of the natural disaster, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu instructed Wallace Minn-gan Chow, director-general of the ministry’s Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to call Wilfredo B. Fernandez, head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.
Chow extended his sincere sympathies and said Taiwan stands ready to provide recovery and reconstruction assistance in affected areas if needed. In response, Fernandez thanked the government and people and said his government will make such requests if and when necessary.
Michael Pei-yung Hsu, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, also expressed deep concern and condolences Dec. 19 to the government of the Philippines.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Our thoughts & prayers go out to those affected by Super Typhoon Rai. @TECO_PH Rep. Hsu is liaising on the ground to assist. Taiwan stands with the Philippines at this testing time.” (SFC-E)
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