World | Philippines
Philippines seeks aid for tens of thousands stranded by floods
The Philippines appealed for international aid on Sunday to help tens of thousands marooned by flashfloods, and apologised for the delays in rescue efforts to avoid potential political fallout from the crisis.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:19 September 27, 2009
Manila: The Philippines appealed for international aid on Sunday to help tens of thousands marooned by flashfloods, and apologised for the delays in rescue efforts to avoid potential political fallout from the crisis.
"We're doing our best to get to all those people still trapped by the flashflood," said Anthony Golez, spokesman for the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
"We're sorry for the delays. We're encounting difficulty in reaching flooded areas.
Hundreds remained on rooftops, waving and shouting for food, water and warm clothes as floodwaters began to subside in and around Manila on Sunday.
Television images showed several houses and cars being swept by swollen rivers and clusters of people on the roofs of their homes. Army and civilian helicopters were seen dropping food and relief goods.
The weather bureau said brought the heaviest rainfall in the country in 40 years. Rainfall was twice the amount that drenched the United States during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The government has been criticised for its handling of the crisis and dozens of angry people called radio stations to appeal for help and blame state agencies for lack of preparation.
"This will have a big political impact on the government," said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Instiute for Political and Electoral Reform.
"People are wondering how the government spent its budget for flood control projects. The government was caught unprepared by the heavy rain brought by the typhoon."
Massive rescue and relief efforts continued for the second day as thousands were still marooned in eastern Manila, which has been submerged in 3 metre-deep floodwaters.
"We're appealing for more donations of food, water and warm clothes," said Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, also chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
Teodoro said the United States and UN agencies had responded with boats, food, water and relief goods.
Schools will be closed on Monday because most of them are being used as temporary shelters for more than 5,000 displaced families.
Airport operations returned to normal and power supply was slowly being restored.
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