MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III personally thanked today visiting United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for the assistance and concern that the agency has been extending to the country after it was hit by typhoon Haiyan last November.
Aquino expressed his gratitude during the courtesy call made by Ban Ki-Moon in Malacanang, the presidential palace, before the latter flew to Tacloban in central Philippine province of Leyte, the worst-hit area by typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda.
Aquino and the UN chief discussed the recovery and reconstruction efforts for the typhoon-ravaged areas, said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with a state-run radio station.
Ban arrived in the country Friday night and will be staying until Sunday. He is going to visit the worst-devastated areas to personally assess the damage and express solidarity to the victims of Haiyan, which is considered as the strongest typhoon ever hit the planet in recent years.
The latest official death toll from Haiyan in the Philippines has climbed to 6,102, while the number of those missing was still at 1,779.
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