Lufthansa-World Vision Flight Arrives with Relief Goods from Germany

A Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 jet arrived in Manila on Monday carrying 25 tonnes of emergency aid from Germany.

Image Source: Lufthansa Cargo/Facebook

The Lufthansa crew was on its way to the Philippines when news of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda reached them. Upon hearing the news, they decided to join forces with World Vision and Aktion Deutschland Hilft to fill the aircraft with aid and supplies for the victims. The theme of the flight mission is "Faster Aid Together."

The relief flight carried 5,400 fleece blankets, 3,000 tarpaulins and tents along with urgently needed medical supplies and first-aid kits. Other humanitarian aid including water, food, and hygiene kits were also on board the aircraft to be immediately dispatched to affected areas. 

The German government has pledged aid for typhoon survivors and promised prompt emergency aid and technical support. "Germany wants to help and will help," said Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister. He added than an immediate aid package of more than half-a-million dollars would be sent to the Philippines.

Copyright Photo: FREDRIK VON ERICHSEN/AP

The German Embassy in Manila reported that rescue teams from German relief organizations including CARE, HelpAge, and Malteser International are already on the ground in Samar and Leyte working in collaboration with Philippine agencies. Additional rescue teams will soon be deployed by German aid organizations ADRA and Johannieter Unfallhilfe. 

ISAR Germany deployed a medical team of 24 doctors and nurses to the Visayas who arrived on Sunday evening. The team is bringing along two tonnes of medical supplies contributed by Action Medeor. They will be setting up medical teams that can service up to 1,000 people per day. The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief also has a team on the way to provide assistance in the devastated provinces.

"Every minute counts in this response," said Josaias Dela Cruz, National Director for World Vision in the Philippines. "With the death toll rising and the extent of the damage still not fully known, we are doing everything we can to scale up as quickly as possible and begin bringing relief and hope to our country. The first shipment of emergency supplies will be tremendously helpful."

Image Source: Lufthansa/Facebook

The Government of the Philippines is estimating that at least 4 million people have been affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Initial reports coming from Tacloban suggest that 10,000 people may have died. As communication channels are restored and access improves to affected areas, the number of fatalities is expected to rise.

Meanwhile, worldwide support for the Philippines continues to pour in. The World Food Program in Malaysia is preparing to dispatch the first shipment of aid to the Philippines that will contain water tanks, hardware kits, tents, and generators among other goods.