ID :
82281
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 15:19
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http://m.oananews.org//node/82281
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Thailand sending medical team to storm-hit Philippines
BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) - Thailand will dispatch a medical team and medical supplies to the Philippines, which has been heavily hit by tropical storm Ketsana, killing at least 240 persons.
Dr Rewat Visarutvej, director-general of Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences, said that the sending of Thai medical team as humanitarian assistance to the devastated Philippines will be approved by the government soon.
He said the help offered by Thailand will be similar to that sent to Myanmar which was hit by cyclone Nargis last year.
The director-general added that local medical officials in 14 northeastern Thai provinces are also prepared to respond the impact from Ketsana, as it is now moving toward Vietnam and was expected to enter Thai skies over Mukdaharn province on Wednesday.
Thailand's Meteorological Department warned Tuesday morning that storm Ketsana was centered over the South China Sea about 220 km east of Danang, Vietnam with sustained winds of 140 km/hr.
It said Ketsana is expected to move across neighboring Laos to Mukdahan by September 30. People in at-risk areas of the northeastern province along the foothills near waterways and in the lowlands should beware of flooding during this period.
In the Philippines, at least 240 people were killed and nearly two million people affected in the country's worst flooding in more than 40 years. More than 370,000 others were forced to seek shelter in evacuation camps.
Philippine officials have called for international help, warning they may not have sufficient resources to withstand another storm brewing east of the island nation which could hit as early as Friday.
President Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday also opened her official residence, Malacanang Palace, as part of disaster relief efforts to flood survivors who are seeking food, medicine and shelter. (TNA)
Dr Rewat Visarutvej, director-general of Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences, said that the sending of Thai medical team as humanitarian assistance to the devastated Philippines will be approved by the government soon.
He said the help offered by Thailand will be similar to that sent to Myanmar which was hit by cyclone Nargis last year.
The director-general added that local medical officials in 14 northeastern Thai provinces are also prepared to respond the impact from Ketsana, as it is now moving toward Vietnam and was expected to enter Thai skies over Mukdaharn province on Wednesday.
Thailand's Meteorological Department warned Tuesday morning that storm Ketsana was centered over the South China Sea about 220 km east of Danang, Vietnam with sustained winds of 140 km/hr.
It said Ketsana is expected to move across neighboring Laos to Mukdahan by September 30. People in at-risk areas of the northeastern province along the foothills near waterways and in the lowlands should beware of flooding during this period.
In the Philippines, at least 240 people were killed and nearly two million people affected in the country's worst flooding in more than 40 years. More than 370,000 others were forced to seek shelter in evacuation camps.
Philippine officials have called for international help, warning they may not have sufficient resources to withstand another storm brewing east of the island nation which could hit as early as Friday.
President Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday also opened her official residence, Malacanang Palace, as part of disaster relief efforts to flood survivors who are seeking food, medicine and shelter. (TNA)
