The Philipine Red Cross (PRC) now
has a fully functional modern Humanitarian Vessel- M/V Amazing Grace.
The 195-foot military prototype
vessel was bought late last year to the country, in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in
Olongapo to be exact straight from its former port in the state of
Alaska,United States of America.
PRC Chairman Gordon told press
people last May ,that Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which hit the Philippines three
years ago, it took some time for aid to arrive in the hard hit areas in Eastern
Visayas due to impassable roads and the closure of airports and seaports, which
made it difficult for the government and humanitarian actors like
the Philippine Red Cross to bring relief to the affected areas. Trucks carrying
humanitarian aid had to line up for days to be accommodated in seaports and sea
vessels going to the affected areas. *
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| M/V Amazing Grace, originally called Susitna, the disaster response vessel originated from Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska,The PRC acquired the vessel for $1.75 million or P88 million. (photo credit to Philstar.com) |
The full report from CNN
Philippines is quoted below:
The country's first and only
humanitarian vessel is set to sail, ready to provide disaster response to
Filipinos in need.
M/V Amazing Grace, a 195-foot
military prototype vessel, can function as a rapid transport, mobile command
center, cargo transport vessel, an ambulance, and disaster response ship. It
can hold up to 120 passengers and 20 vehicles.
Philippine Red Cross, the Aboitiz
Foundation, and Abojeb Company, Inc. signed the memorandum of agreement on
Thursday.
"Our engagement for the
country's first humanitarian vessel is a testament that we are inspired to do
our significant best to make our communities safe and well-prepared,"
Aboitiz Foundation Board of Trustees chairman Erramon Aboitiz said.
With the deployment of the
humanitarian ship, delays in emergency response due to impassable roads, or any
breakdown in airports' or seaports' infrastructure, can be overcome. M/V
Amazing Grace makes quick humanitarian relief, sea rescue, and mass evacuation
by Philippine Red Cross' emergency units possible.
"We in Philippine Red Cross
are grateful to seal this partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation and Aboitiz
Jebsen. We deeply value this as this partnership means more lives secured in
times of disasters," said Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief
executive officer Richard Gordon. *
Abojeb, which is supported by the
Aboitiz Foundation, offers its ship management services, ensuring the M/V
Amazing Grace's efficiency by keeping tabs on its maintenance and repair needs.
"This will enable the
efficient delivery of the Red Cross' humanitarian response in times of
need," said Carl Martin Faannessen, managing director of Abojeb Company,
Inc.
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