12/11/2013 President
Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), its President Jean-Claude Mignon has sent a message of solidarity, compassion and comfort to the families and loved ones of the thousands of victims of Typhoon Haiyan:
“A devastating natural catastrophe has struck the Philippines. Our thoughts today are with the victims, their families and friends, and with all those who are now fighting to bring initial aid.
The absolute priority is to ensure that urgent aid reaches the areas affected as rapidly as possible. Today, the generosity of all of us – governments, civil society and individuals – will be indispensable if immediate needs are to be met, especially for food, drinking water and medicine. Tomorrow, this same urge for solidarity should guide member States, the Council of Europe and the international community so that humanitarian aid can be deployed, as efficiently as possible, to assist the authorities in their efforts to reconstruct the devastated areas.”