Obama extends condolences to Philippines storm victims, cites ongoing US relief efforts there

October 6th, 2009 UN appeals for $74M in flood aid to PhilippinesUNITED NATIONS — The United Nations appealed Tuesday for $74 million to help 1 million flood victims in the Philippines, which has been lashed by two major storms. U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said the appeal is seeking money for food, water, sanitation facilities, emergency shelter and health care for those worst affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma.

October 2nd, 2009 Obama extends condolences to Indonesian presidentWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has spoken with Indonesia's president to offer his condolences for the devastating earthquake that struck West Sumatra. The White House says Obama got through to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SOO'-see-loh BAM'-bang yoo-doo-YOH'-noh) on Friday morning after several unsuccessful tries to reach him since Wednesday's quake.

September 30th, 2009 Philippine storm death toll reaches 100MANILA, Philippines — Officials say the death toll in the massive flooding that hit the Philippine capital and nearby provinces has reached 100. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that army troops, police and civilian volunteers, backed by U.S.

September 30th, 2009 Philippine flood survivors seek aid; 246 deadMANILA, Philippines — Flood victims trudged through ankle-deep sludge to crowded relief centers in the Philippines, as the death toll rose to 246 from waters that submerged the homes of more than 2 million people. Another tropical storm was headed toward the southern Philippines and could hit on Wednesday afternoon, government forecaster Malou Rivera said.

September 26th, 2009 MANILA - At least 54 people were killed as tropical storm Ketsana battered a wide area in the Philippines, dumping record rainfall on the capital, officials said Sunday. Twenty-one people were missing in floods and landslides caused by Ketsana, according to Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who also heads the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

August 18th, 2009 Obama sends condolences to SKorea on Kim's deathWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is extending condolences to the Korean people and the family of former President Kim Dai-jung. Obama said Kim, who died Tuesday at age 85, "risked his life" in leading a political movement that was crucial to South Korean development.

June 9th, 2009 Obama offers condolences to GabonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is offering condolences to the people of Gabon after their longtime president died. Gabon's President Omar Bongo died Monday in Spain.

May 12th, 2009 YINGXIU - China Tuesday mourned the deaths of thousands of people who perished in a devastating earthquake that struck southwestern Sichuan province exactly a year ago. A memorial function was organised here in Sichuan province to mark the first anniversary of the quake that left 87,000 people dead or missing and rendering millions homeless.

May 12th, 2009 YINGXIU - China Tuesday mourned the deaths of thousands of people who perished in a devastating earthquake that struck southwestern Sichuan province exactly a year ago. A memorial function was organised here in Sichuan province to mark the first anniversary of the quake that left 87,000 people dead or missing and rendering millions homeless.

May 8th, 2009 Typhoon weakens after killing 10 in PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — A powerful typhoon dumped heavy rains, triggered landslides and left at least 10 people dead and four missing in the northern Philippines, officials said Friday. Typhoon Cha-hom was packing maximum winds of 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour when it made landfall overnight in Pangasinan province, north of Manila.

May 3rd, 2009 MANILA - At least 10 people were killed in landslides and floods triggered by a storm battering the eastern Philippines, the Office of Civil Defence (OCD) said Sunday. Seven of the fatalities were buried in mud and debris when the side of a hill collapsed on a village in Magallanes town in Sorsogon province, 375 km south of Manila.

May 3rd, 2009 At least 11 dead as storm batters PhilippinesLEGAZPI, Philippines — A tropical storm set off landslides and swamped farmland in the northeastern Philippines, leaving at least 11 people dead and nine others missing, officials said Sunday. Rescuers recovered the bodies of nine people, including two children, from piles of mud and debris that cascaded into a coastal village from a mountain in Magallanes on Saturday, burying 12 houses as residents slept, regional disaster official Bernardo Alejandro said.

May 3rd, 2009 MANILA - At least 12 people were killed and 15 others were missing in landslides and floods triggered by a storm battering the eastern Philippines, the Office of Civil Defence (OCD) said Sunday. Seven of the fatalities were buried in mud and debris when the side of a hill collapsed on a village in Magallanes town in Sorsogon province, 375 km south of Manila.

April 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said the US was ready to help the more than 200 victims of a devastating earthquake in the heart of Italy and offered his condolences in a telephone call Tuesday with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The Italian people and victims 'are in the thoughts and prayers of the American people at this time,' Obama told his Italian counterpart, according to the White House.

February 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India Tuesday conveyed 'deep condolences' to families of the victims of the bushfires in Australia and offered assistance in disaster relief. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee rang up his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith and 'conveyed deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased and victims of the bushfires in the State of Victoria'.