Philippines Typhoon 2013 News Update: China Offers More Donations to Haiyan Victims after Criticism
After being criticized for its initial donation of only $100,000 USD, China has increased its aid amount sent to the Philippines and survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.
According to SMH.com.au, their initial donation figure got compared with the soaring donations from other countries like Japan, US and Australia. These are the top countries that have sent tens of millions not just to render financial help but also other kinds of on ground assistance to the Filipino survivors.
It was on Wednesday when China declared it would give about US$1.75 million for relief supplies composed of blankets and tents so that communities will have a warm place to sleep on as they all recover together.
Even if there are experts who said China's reason for not performing relief operations as vast as the other countries is that they lack logistic expertise and military capability to handle such, some believe the hindrance yield towards political issues.
Huffington Post reports that China was possibly reluctant to donate due to the bitter feud that the two countries had over claims in South China Sea. Several political experts like Zheng Yongnian think that China missed a big opportunity to show itself as powerful and sovereign in showing goodwill to other countries.
Compared to Hong Kong which is a Chinese territory, the country is helping out strongly despite its recent issues too between the Philippines over how the recent 2010 hostage crisis was handled as it took away numerous Hong Kong citizens.
On the other hand, BBC UK said that as aid workers from different parts of the world come to help the Typhoon Haiyan survivors recover and continue to live; still the situation seems bleak even after a week of the aftermath. According to the representative of the Medecins Sans Frontieres, it is the logistical problems that serve as a hindrance in successfully distributing help in the fastest possible manner.
The death toll is presently at 3,621 according to various officials from the Philippines. Unidentified bodies of victims are prepared for a huge mass grave.