CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government has donated 50 tons of humanitarian aid for the families affected by the Mt. Mayon unrest in Albay.

Upon the turnover of the food donation to the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos extended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s gratefulness to the UAE government for the initiative.

“The President is very happy and thankful to the royal family of UAE, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi, and the people of UAE for this donation – the very first international aid that we received for the victims of Mayon volcano unrest,” Abalos said.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the donation was made possible by Sec. Abalos who coordinated with his counterpart, UAE's Minister of Interior, a good friend of SILG, and who is the brother of the King.

Gatchalian said the Philippines will equate the UAE government’s swift humanitarian response with equally fast turnover to displaced families and individuals. Repacking will be done in Albay to expedite the distribution and make sure that the relief goods will be received by families within 24 hours after today.

The donated goods include rice, cooking oil, powdered milk, salt, and sugar, among others.

The 50 tons of relief goods were flown via chartered flight care of the UAE government.

Abalos visited the operations center at the Albay Provincial Capitol today  and courtesy call to Gov. Edcel Lagman to discuss concerns on the imminent eruption of Mayon volcano.

After the meeting, the DILG chief also visited the evacuation center in Daraga which temporarily houses 190 families or 723 individuals displaced by the eruption of Mayon volcano. (dilg/pia-ncr)