Koreans raise P100-M for PH typhoon victims

South Korean soldiers check relief goods for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, loaded on a South Korean Air Force C-130 cargo plane, at a military airport in Seongnam. Photo by Lee Jin-man, Reuters

MANILA, Philippines - South Koreans have raised 2.5 billion won (around P103 million) during broadcasting network KBS' special televised fund-raising event to benefit relief efforts in storm-hit Philippines.

The funds raised by KBS on Thursday's broadcast event will go to the Philippine Red Cross, through the South Korean Red Cross. The South Korean Red Cross' goal is to raise 10 billion won (around P410 million) by December.

Another broadcast network MBC has also staged a special broadcast fundraising event for "Yolanda" victims.

The South Korean government has already pledged $5 million in aid for Philippine relief efforts.

Top South Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Kia Automotive Group have pledged millions of dollars for relief efforts in the Philippines.

Asiana Airlines is also sending some 30,000 ramen noodle packs, 20,000 water bottles and 1,000 airline blankets for the "Yolanda" victims. Other companies such as Hite Jinro and K-Water are sending hundreds of thousands of bottled water.

At the same time, South Korea's National Assembly has passed a resolution expressing sympathy with the victims of typhoon "Yolanda" in the Philippines and calling for support of the Korean government for relief efforts.

Rep. Jasmine Lee, a naturalized Korean who was born in the Philippines, authored the resolution, which was signed by 282 members out of the 300 members of the National Assembly.

On Friday's session, the resolution passed with 191 votes.

"Many countries and organizations are assisting the Philippines and I’m very proud of the fact that Korea is one of those nations. Though huge aid and support are heading toward the country, more help will be needed to rehabilitate the typhoon-devastated regions," Lee told the National Assembly.

Lee recalled how South Korea had once benefited from the help of the global community when it was recovering from the Korean War.

"Practicing love for humanity in a time when the world is suffering from climate change and other disasters is a great opportunity for Korea to raise her status as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council," she added.

Article credit abs-cbnnews