France is deeply saddened by the devastation caused in the Philippines by Super Typhoon Rai (Odette), which has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands of people and caused considerable damage to many areas of the Visayas and Mindanao.
The French Embassy in the Philippines is fully mobilized, in coordination with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' crisis and support centre and the local authorities, to assist French nationals affected by the typhoon.
France assures the Philippine authorities and people of its friendship and full solidarity in this ordeal, and expresses its condolences to the victims' families and close friends. France stands by the Philippines in the response to natural disasters and in the fight against the consequences of climate change.
It stands ready to respond to any appeal for international aid for rescue and rehabilitation operations.