SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATHS, DESTRUCTION FROM PHILIPPINE MUDSLIDE, SAYS UN DISASTER COORDINATION TEAM DEPLOYED TO ASSIST

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATHS, DESTRUCTION FROM PHILIPPINE MUDSLIDE,

SAYS UN DISASTER COORDINATION TEAM DEPLOYED TO ASSIST

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the mudslide that hit the village of Guinsaugon on the southern part of the island of Leyte in the Philippines.  He extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured in the disaster.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deploying a United National Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to strengthen the Resident Coordinator’s Office in supporting the Government of the Philippines.

The United Nations stands ready to assist the Government further in alleviating this situation.

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For information media • not an official record