German companies step up relief efforts

German firms are rushing to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance to areas devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

“While German investors have not been really affected by the ravages of Supertyphoon Haiyan [Yolanda], we are very concerned about the situation … and we feel the need to help [the victims] rebuild their lives,” explained Nadine Fund, general manager of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI).

According to Fund, the German government and several organizations, such as THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief), International Search and Rescue Germany and World Vision, have been on the ground since Monday morning to help the victims of the supertyphoon.

These groups have brought along 23 tons of relief goods, including blankets, plastic sheets and medical equipment, which were distributed as early as Tuesday, in cooperation with the German Embassy and the German business community, Fund yesterday said in a statement.

Members of the GPCCI have also pledged financial support including Continental Temic, which donated $200,000 and Steag State Power Inc., which donated P500,000.

Lufthansa Technik Philippines and MicroAsia Corp. assisted Lufthansa Airlines in transporting the relief goods from Germany.

Schenker Philippines Inc., on the other hand, offered free trucking to Tacloban and opened up its warehouse as hub for the US-based Direct Relief organization.

Other German companies who have supported GPCCI’s drive were Bag Electronics, Bosch Communications Center, Crimson Horses Inc., Doehle Ship Management Phils. Corp., German Club Inc., Hamburg Trading, Outbound Asia, PPI Pazifik Power Inc., Printing Images CTC, Inc., Rieckermann Philippines Inc., TUEV Nord, Unify GmbH and Co KG, and several individual members based locally and abroad who donated monetary support.  Amy R. Remo