Japan dispatches Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team to areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda
Ambassador Lopez thanks Japanese Government at send-off rites
TOKYO – In a further boost to the massive outpouring of international support for the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the Government of Japan dispatched today a 25-person Japanese Disaster-Relief (JDR) Medical Team to support the efforts of the Philippine Government in assisting the victims and communities affected by the calamity.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez joined Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara and Director General Akira Nakamura of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) JDR Secretariat in sending off the Japanese medical contingent at simple rites held at the Narita International Airport at noon today. The team includes JICA and Foreign Ministry officials, doctors, nurses, pharmacists as well as medical and logistics assistants.
Ambassador Lopez thanks the Japanese Government and the Japanese Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team at the send-off ceremony at Narita International Airport. The team departed for the Philippines on a chartered JAL Flight.
They were joined by Dr. Yasuhiro Otomo of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Vice President Dr. Tatsuro Kai of the Osaka Saisekai Senri Hospital, two organizations that have extended their support to the dispatch of the team.
Addressing the JDR contingent and the Japanese officials present, Ambassador Lopez conveyed the heartfelt appreciation of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people for Japan’s prompt response to the Philippines’ request for assistance. “Japan is the first to dispatch a medical mission to the Philippines in the wake of this devastating typhoon. Japan is a true and dependable friend of the Philippines, always the first to extend a helping hand. This mission provides a much-needed morale boost to our suffering countrymen”, said the Ambassador.
Foreign Vice Minister Kihara reiterated Japan’s readiness to extend any necessary assistance, recalling the solidarity and assistance the Philippines had also extended in the wake of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
The JDR’s mission is being undertaken in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health and other government agencies engaged in the emergency response in Central Visayas. The team is lead by Mr. Kenzo Iwakami, a JICA official formerly assigned to the Philippines.
