MANILA, Philippines – The United States government is earmarking Php84 million (USD 1.5 million) to support the Philippine government’s response to Tropical Storm Kristine, the U.S. Embassy said.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the funding will augment the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) ongoing efforts to deliver life saving assistance aimed at helping individuals severely affected by the storm, particularly in the Bicol region and in Batangas.
“Through this funding, USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance. USAID will also provide logistical support in the management of evacuation centers,” the Embassy mentioned.
The Embassy is hopeful that the assistance will help the victims recover “safely” and “with dignity”.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson extended her message of sympathy and solidarity to the victims of Tropical Storm Kristine.
“My heart goes out to all those suffering the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine,” Ambassador Carlson said.
“We are working side by side with the Philippine government to bring relief to communities in need,” Carlson added.
Earlier, USAID dispatched 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 household relief kits to the Bicol region through a C-130 provided by the Singaporean government.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the disaster relief items were prepositioned in the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in Nueva Ecija, on Sunday (Oct. 27).
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy in the Philippines)
The said joint humanitarian prepositioning effort was launched by Ambassador Carlson and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. last September, the Embassy confirmed.
Since October 25, the United States has worked with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving humanitarian relief material prepositioned across the country, the Embassy shared.
With USAID funding, the World Food Programme mobilized 33 trucks to support the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 53,000 family food packs and other relief items to the Bicol region, the Embassy added.
The U.S. Embassy emphasized that this assistance builds on the U.S. government’s previous support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, such as during the massive flooding in Mindanao in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian earlier in October.
According to the Embassy, since 2010, the U.S. government has provided more than Php21.85 billion ($390.2 million) in disaster relief, preparedness, and early recovery in the Philippines.
