The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already reached out to more than 500 Filipinos around Shanghai who need much-needed food assistance amid the Covid-19-related lockdown in the city.
A total of 535 Filipinos were provided food packs within the two rounds of relief operations.
On the first round of relief operation on May 7 to 9, 247 Filipinos received food packs while 288 Filipinos received relief packs on May 22 to 24.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), each beneficiary received multiple packages containing essential food items such as rice, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits, cooking oil and dry goods.
"They also received a taste of home via a selection of locally available Philippine-branded canned fish and meat products, noodles, soup mixes, sauces, biscuits, snack items, and condiments," the DFA added.
The two rounds of relief operations were conducted by the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai. The relief packs were delivered by a third-party provider.
"Many beneficiaries expressed their appreciation and delight via messages and photographs sent to the PCG. News of the Philippine Government’s food assistance again made its way onto social media platforms, earning laudatory comments from Chinese and other foreign nationals," the DFA said.
It added that the relief operation was a collaborative effort with the help from various organizations such as the Philippine Trade and Investment Center- Shanghai, Shanghai Jinglv DianJing Corp. Ltd., Lianyugang Dawn Trading Co. Ltd., Century Pacific China, and Liwayway China Co. Ltd.
It further said that the PCG also solicited the inputs of key Filipino community organizations during planning to survey and solve anticipated hurdles.
"The food packs are part of a larger assistance effort for Filipinos in Shanghai. A parallel assistance track is being undertaken for members of the Overseas Workers Welfare (OWWA)," the DFA said.
The parallel assistance track is undertaken by OWWA, in coordination with OWWA Office in Hong Kong which covers Shanghai.