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Polish fire fighter to help coordinate Philippines typhoon aid

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 18.11.2013 08:00
Poland's Captain Tomasz Czyz is one of five fire fighters who will be coordinating the European Union's relief effort in the Philippines after a tycoon killed thousands last week.

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A Filipino typhoon victim is seen on a damaged home in the super typhoon devastated town of Balangiga, Samar island province, Philippines, 18 November: photo - EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG

Captain Czyz, who participated in rescue operations in Pakistan in 2005, Haiti in 2010 and in Poland after the floods in 2011, will be flying to the Philippines this week, as international aid begins to arrive.

"Once there, we will try to coordinate all the aid which the European Union and European Commission has given," he told the TVP broadcaster.

"Our job also includes evaluating the destruction and needs," Tomasz Czyz added.

It has been estimated that more than 3,900 people were killed when Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the Philippines and as sea surged ashore.

Philippine authorities and international agencies face a mounting humanitarian crisis, with the number of people displaced by the catastrophe estimated at 4 million.

EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs announced last week 13 million euros of aid for the rehabilitation of the typhoon-affected areas of the country. (pg)

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