RAF C-17 Cargo plane packed with aid relief heading for the Philippines

An RAF cargo plan with aid relief is on its way to the Philippines to help with the devastated country. The C-17 cargo plane is huge; with medical supplies and heavy duty vehicles (two JCB diggers, two land rovers and a forklift truck) on board. The plane is expected to land in the Philippines within the next 24 hours. The country is in turmoil and it needs all the help possible. Every little bit of help provided by the world is a step closer to getting the country back on its feet and running again. The British Prime minister has announced that the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS  Illustrious has been sent there.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has mentioned that its charity appeal has raised to about £23 million and the government has given more than £20 million in aid. Unfortunately most of the aid is not reaching all the people, at least 600, 000 people have been displaced during the event and as the Interior secretory Mar Roxas  stated: "In a situation like this, nothing is fast enough". As the support given by most of the world is fantastic the reality is there are still thousands of people who are struggling to survive.  

The UN humanitarian chief Baroness Amos has said " I think we are extremely distressed that this is day six and we have not managed to reach everyone."

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Philippines will rebuild

As I am sure all of you already know, within the last 24 hours, one of the most powerful storms on record devastated the central Philippines; with wind speeds reaching 379km/h (235 mph); with waves as high as 15m (45ft), bringing up to 400mm (15.75 inches) of rain in places. What’s amazing is the resilience and constant spirit showed by the people of this country to withstand and take on the full might of Mother Nature’s cruel acts. With deaths over 100 at this present time and with the fear of these numbers to increase as people come out to see the after effects.

President Benigno Aquino III warned people to leave high-risk areas; he stated that “No typhoon can bring Filipinos to their knees if we’ll be united,” he said in a televised address. When nature strikes the only way forward is to unite and work together to pull through and pick up the devastation left behind and in this case, could be meant quite literally.

I will leave you with this:

The comment was posted by a certain ‘dudesk001′ on CNN post regarding the ravages left by the strongest tropical storm in the world this 2013. I think it says a lot on the human spirit and again combining as one, “united” to overcome something so devastating.

"Time to get to the know the hardy Filipino people…unbelievably resilient, long suffering, good natured, uber friendly, loyal, ingenius, and a bunch of survivors.

At the end of the day the Filipinos will just shake off the dirt from their clothes and thongs and go about their business…and SMILE. They do not complain much, they will bear as long as they can.

Maybe this is why they were given the “privilege” of bearing the burden of the strongest typhoon ever recorded.

The indomitable human spirit at its finest."

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