Jewellers lend a hand to typhoon victims

Dubai: Victims of Typhoon Bopha in the southern part of the Philippines received a Dh183,650 donation from Pure Gold Jewellers in Dubai. The jewellers, which has many employees from the Philippines, decided the move in recognition of the contribution of the Filipino community in the retail sector in the UAE.

Typhoon Bopha, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country this year, killed more than 1,000 people according to the latest Manila’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) bulletin. The death toll is feared to rise as 800 more people have been missing since the typhoon lashed the country.

More than 6.2 million people have been affected with an estimated damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and private property reaching close to 37 billion pesos (Dh3.3 billion).

“I am deeply saddened by the condition of those affected by the typhoon. Filipinos contribute greatly to the retail sector and other economic sectors in the UAE and we have many staff from the Philippines,” Firoz Merchant, chairman of Pure Gold Jewellers, said.

“We join them in a spirit of solidarity during this difficult time and we are doing the best to contribute to helping those who are suffering because of the destruction caused by the typhoon,” he added.

Merchant sent the donation to the NDRRMC in order to help in the rebuilding of communities devastated by Typhoon Bopha. He also met with Philippine Consul-General to the UAE Frank Cimafranca to offer support for the typhoon victims.

Cimafranca, on behalf of the typhoon victims, thanked Merchant for his company’s donation.

“The donated funds will go a long way to help alleviate the plight and suffering of the typhoon victims,” Cimafranca said.