MANILA – November 15, 2013 – German investors in the Philippines expressed deep sympathy to the millions of people affected by the super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) and committed to help in the relief and rehabilitation of affected areas.
Nadine Fund, General Manager of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GPCCI) said several German companies in the Philippines already pledged financial support. Among the first to heed the Chamber’s call were Continental Temic, which donated US$200,000 and Steag State Power Inc. which donated P500,000.
“We are very thankful that not only the German government, but several organizations such as THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief), International Search and Rescue Germany, World Vision are already here on the ground since Monday morning to help our kababayans in need. They have brought along 23 tons of relief goods, including blankets, plastic sheets and medical equipment,” Fund said in a statement.
She said that through the cooperation of the German Embassy and the German business community, the relief goods were distributed as early as Tuesday. GPCCI is in close touch with the technical relief workers from Germany and will be coordinating and assessing the situation together with them.
"While German investors have not been really affected by the ravages of super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), we are very concerned on the situation of the affected families and we feel the need to help them rebuild their lives," Fund said.
She also said the GPCCI member companies engaged in shipping, manufacturing and airline industry all stand ready to offer their expertise and resources to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon affected areas in the Visayas.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines and MicroAsia Corporation assisted Lufthansa Airlines in transporting the 23 tons of relief goods from Germany.
Schenker Philippines Inc., on the other hand, offered free trucking to Tacloban and opened up its warehouse as hub for the US-based Direct Relief organization.
Other German companies who have supported GPCCI’s drive are bag Electronics, Bosch Communications Center, Crimson Horses Inc., Doehle Ship Management Phils Corp., German Club Inc., Hamburg Trading, Outbound Asia, PPI Pazifik Power Inc., Printing Images CTC, Inc., Rieckermann Philippines Inc, TUEV Nord, Unify GmbH & Co KG, and several individual members based locally and abroad who donated monetary support.
Fund said GPCCI has encouraged other German companies to also do their share in supporting relief and rehabilitation efforts and expressed elation over the outpouring of response and continuous pledges of support from its members.
"The Philippines is a typhoon prone country and German companies are ready to extend expertise in implementing risk reduction measures and renewable energy projects to help mitigate the impact of calamities aggravated by climate change," Fund said.
