|
Philippine Embassy in Berne Collaborates
with Swiss Red Cross Officials
The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is a private organization that also carries
out public tasks on a mandate from the Swiss Government or the cantonal
authorities. It is a member of the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, with its headquarters in Geneva
and part of a worldwide network of 186 national societies. Its
counterpart in the Philippines is the Philippine National Red Cross
(PNRC) chaired by Senator Richard Gordon.
Internationally, the SRC is active on development programs such as
health care and supports rescue operations on emergency situations.
In the aftermath of the two devastating typhoons in the Philippines,
the Swiss Red Cross has focused its efforts on post disaster
reconstruction. Upon the urging of Senator Gordon of PNRC, SRC will
construct transitional shelters in Calamba, Laguna to around
700 affected families in the Philippines. SRC is now in the
process of buying land in Laguna for the site construction.
The funding for this project came from the Swiss Government,
particularly from the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation, the Swiss Solidarity and from their own funds.
Swiss Solidarity Foundation is Switzerland’s humanitarian solidarity
and fund raising platform. It is led by the Swiss
Broadcasting Corporation together with the public and private print
media. In the event of a catastrophe in any part of the world, the
major part of donations received from the Swiss people are used for
rehabilitation and rebuilding.
Swiss Solidarity raised almost 4 million Swiss Francs during its
Donation Day last 9 October 2009 for the Philippines , projects of
which to be executed by its partner NGO’s such as SRC and Caritas
. The Philippine Embassy in Berne and the Swiss Asian Chamber of
Commerce (SACC) in Zurich collaborated to raise funds for the typhoon
victims from the Swiss business community and was able to raise 100,000
Swiss Francs , which were all contributed to the Swiss Solidarity.
Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro
conveyed the heartfelt gratitude of the Filipino people and
Government to the Swiss Red Cross, for the support and assistance they
have been extending to the country..
|
