Victims of typhoon "Odette" in the Philippines can expect the expedited delivery of assistance from Middle Eastern nation Qatar after its emir or leader spoke with President Duterte via telephone.
"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conveyed his sincerest appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, of Qatar, for the expression of sympathy and solidarity with the victims of typhoon Rai ("Odette") during a telephone conversation held on 21 December 2021," Malacañang bared in a statement Thursday, Dec. 23.
"The President also welcomed the Qatari offer of assistance for the rehabilitation of the affected communities in the Visayas and northern Mindanao regions," the statement further read.
"The two leaders instructed their respective ecretary and minister of interior government to coordinate directly to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance from Qatar," it added. The exact form or amount of assistance was not specified.
The international community continues to pledge support to the Philippines after the natural disaster-prone country was pummeled by Odette last week.
According to the statement, President Duterte further said that Qatar “is and will always be a friend of the Philippines”.
The Filipino leader went on to thank the Qatari government for its humane treatment of Filipinos living and working in Qatar.
"His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for his part, said that Filipinos are appreciated in Qatar. He likewise expressed admiration for the President’s strong leadership, wishing him the best as he fulfills his mandate," the statement concluded.