13 November 2014 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva and Filipinos working in the World Health Organization (WHO) came together on November 07 to mark the first year anniversary since Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan hit the country.

Filipinos in the WHO raised more than CHF 16,000 (around PhP 743,866.30 ) last year and sent the money home to help provide for the victims of the affected areas in the Visayas.

WHO officials, personnel and friends from other agencies and specialized organizations attended the event.

Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, expressed the government’s appreciation to the contributions made by the WHO and the Filipinos working in the WHO and UNAIDS.

“We thank you for your expression of solidarity and for the outpouring of support for Filipinos who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan. WHO officials and our Filipino kababayans who are working here in the WHO and UNAIDS made us feel we are not alone for you have been there with us since Day 1,” Ambassador Rebong said.

She added that the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) is being implemented in the areas affected by the typhoon. CRRP, put together by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), outlines the specific projects, programs and activities (PPAs) for the recovery and rehabilitation of the Yolanda Corridor. CRRP is anchored on the principle of “build back better, faster and safer.”

“More needs to be done but we remain committed to uplifting the lives of our affected kababayans,” she said adding, “We also recognize the role of the WHO and you, our kababayans who are here, who continue to actively take part in improving the situation in the affected areas, lending us your skills and extending your resources back home. We take pride in knowing that wherever Filipinos may be, the spirit of bayanihan remains very alive.”

Filipinos in the WHO put up a short commemorative program during lunch break at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva and invited their co-workers and friends to take part in the commemoration, serving coffee and Filipino delicacies to express thanks to the attendees who were very much part of the fundraising event last year and who also extended their assistance, in cash or in kind, to the affected communities. END