Russia ready to send rescue team to Philippines

Russia's Emergencies Ministry (EMERCOM) is ready to send a rescue team and a mobile hospital to super typhoon-affected Philippines. An Itar-Tass report on Sunday, quoting EMERCOM Emergencies spokeswoman Irina Rossius, said, "Minister Vladimir Puchkov has given instructions to alert the ministry's forces and means for the humanitarian response in the wake of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines." According to her, the 179th rescue center from Noginsk outside Moscow will provide transport vehicles, and a loading crew of 20 people, a mobile hospital of the Centrospas mobile rescue squad and international class rescuers of the Lider Centre. "Two planes will fly to the Philippines, if necessary, and the response group will be increased to 50 people," said Rossius. At present, the assistance issues are being considered the EMERCOM National Crisis Management Centre Emergency with relevant services, she added. More than 1.2 thousand inhabitants of the Philippine island of Leyte have fallen victim to Typhoon Haiyan, said officials of the Philippine Red Cross, who visited the affected areas. According to them, the death toll from the natural disaster could reach 5,000 people. More than one million people have been evacuated in the Philippines in view of the approach of Typhoon Haiyan, more than 14 million people in 37 provinces were warned of a possible evacuation. Haiyan is currently moving northwest. After the Philippines, it is expected to hit Vietnam and Laos.