– Italy has sent one million euro in aid to the Philippines for the typhoon Haiyan victims. The announcement came from Lapo Pistelli – Member of the Italian Parliament and Head of the Foreign Affairs and International Relations Department. Donation composed of supplies for transport, food, medicines and equipment. Minister Emma Bonino specified that this sum was for the immediate relief, adding that “it would be great if donations of the Italian people will be well spent”.

– In cooperation with Jeepney Travel, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Philcargo and LBC, the Philippine Embassy in Italy wishes to inform that it shall serve as drop-off point for in-kind donations for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Haiyan. Only the following items will be accepted: food (ready-to-eat canned goods), water containers, tents and other temporary shelters, blankets, pillows, towels, hygiene kits (no liquids, no alcohol, no perfume) and cooking utensils. (Note: No clothing donations). Every donor shall be asked to execute a Deed of Donation complete with an itemized listing of the things/goods to be donated; and the consignee of the goods shall be the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Resource Operations Center. For inquiries please call Ms. Aubrey Abarintos at 06-397-46621 local 221

– European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva had words of praise for the Belgian B-FAST team for their immediate intervention in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan. They were the first on the scene in Tacloban with a medical and water treatment plant. In a tweet, Ms. Georgieva wrote that “B-FAST is worthy of his name and I am proud of them”.  B-FAST has now more than 200 patients and more than ten surgeries performed in the Belgian field hospital in Palo, south of Tacloban. These are mainly open wounds, cuts, treatments for respiratory diseases and anti-tetanus vaccinations .

– Members of Brugge Oost Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen (Brugge East Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses) in Belgium through Mr. Philippe Vermeire are sending their sympathy to the typhoon victims and will continue praying for the Filipino people.

See you again on Wednesday, same time, same station. Take care everyone.