RAF plane departs for Philippines to help with Typhoon devastation

RAF ground crew load emergency supplies including JCB diggers and Land Rovers to an RAF C-17 transport plane at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire before heading to Cebu in the Philippines to help aid the relief effort following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday November 15, 2013. See PA story WEATHER Typhoon. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire

Staff|Agency

15 November 2013

An RAF plane will take off for the Philippines today to help with the relief effort following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

The C-17 transport plane filled with heavy duty vehicles and medical supplies will leave RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning as part of Britain's emergency response to the disaster.

The aircraft, being operated by No 99 Squadron, is due to land in the Philippines around 24 hours later.

Its load includes two JCB diggers, two Land Rovers and a forklift truck emblazoned with stickers reading "UK aid from the British people".

Flight Sergeant Tony Rimmer, load master at Brize Norton, said: "You feel like you're doing your part to help. It's a small part but we try to do our best.

"We've had no shortage of volunteers to carry out the task that we've got to do."

A 12-strong team of British doctors, surgeons and paramedics landed in the capital Manila yesterday to help treat survivors of the typhoon, the Department for International Development (DFID) said.

Their arrival in the Philippines came as Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is being sent there.

The vessel, which was taking part in exercises in the Gulf, will arrive in the disaster zone to support the humanitarian operation by November 25, replacing HMS Daring which has already been deployed to the Philippines.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has said its charity appeal to help the 11.5 million people affected by the disaster has raised £23 million in two days and the Government has given more than £20 million in aid.

Mr Cameron, who announced the deployment of HMS Illustrious yesterday during a visit to India, said: "What happened in the Philippines is an absolute tragedy. You can see the devastation, the suffering, and it's quite clear that we are going to need long-term help for those people.

"As ever, the British people have been very generous with their donations.

"The British Government has already pledged over £20 million, which makes us one of the most generous donors anywhere in the world. But it's practical action that's needed as well.

"That's why I sent HMS Daring to go and help in the Philippines and I can announce today that once Daring has started its work, we are actually going to be able to replace in time HMS Daring with HMS Illustrious, which is, of course, a carrier with helicopters - seven times as many helicopters as on HMS Daring and with the key ability to process fresh water, so we will be giving further assistance in the best way we can."

Workers in Tacloban, one of the cities hardest hit by the typhoon, have been burying scores of unidentified bodies in a mass grave as desperately needed aid begins to reach some of the half-million people displaced by the disaster.

Baroness Amos, the UN humanitarian chief, said 11.5 million people have been affected by the typhoon, losing loved ones and suffering injuries and damage to their homes, businesses and livelihoods.

"The situation is dismal ... tens of thousands of people are living in the open ... exposed to rain and wind," she told reporters in Manila.

She said the immediate priority for humanitarian agencies over the next few days is to transport and distribute high-energy biscuits and other food, tarpaulins, tents, clean drinking water and basic sanitation services.

"I think we are all extremely distressed that this is day six and we have not managed to reach everyone," she said.

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