MANILA – The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated emergency relief supplies to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, as part of its efforts to boost the Philippines’ disaster preparedness.
The emergency relief supplies were officially handed over by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to Secretary of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, in a turnover ceremony held last Monday, 23 Sept.
“Our Alliance stands strong, especially when disaster strikes. Proud to join the Philippines’ Department of National Defense Secretary Teodoro and partners to hand over humanitarian relief supplies that are now pre-positioned at Fort Magsaysay, strengthening emergency preparedness. That's EDCA in action,” wrote Ambassador Carlson on X.
Our Alliance stands strong 💪, especially when disaster strikes. Proud to join @DNDPHL Sec. Teodoro and partners to hand over humanitarian ♥️ relief supplies that are now pre-positioned at Fort Magsaysay, strengthening emergency preparedness. That's #EDCAinAction! 🇺🇸🤝🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/9W5SMEHqHm
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) September 24, 2024
According to the embassy, the supplies included emergency shelter-grade tarpaulins; shelter repair tools such as handsaws, shovels, ropes, hammers, and nails; and kitchen sets, including pots, pans, bowls, plates, and utensils.
The supplies, which can support at least 10,000 people, will be stored at the OCD warehouse in Fort Magsaysay to facilitate the Philippine government’s rapid delivery of life-saving assistance, the embassy added.
During the turnover, Carlson highlighted how Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, like Fort Magsaysay, can strengthened the Philippines’ humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness efforts.
“The U.S. government remains committed to supporting the Philippines as it builds its national and local capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters,” she said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Teodoro emphasized the two countries’ “strong alliance” as demonstrated through the assistance given to communities affected by calamities and disasters.
“The Philippines and the United States have a strong alliance. This alliance is demonstrated not just through words but through concrete actions of cooperation,” said Secretary Teodoro.
The United States aids the Philippines’ disaster response efforts by bolstering its community-based disaster risk reduction, providing disaster response training, and strengthening collaboration between Philippine and U.S. civilian, military, and humanitarian agencies, the embassy mentioned.
Since 2010, the U.S. government, through USAID, has provided nearly Php19.6 billion ($344 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity across the country, the embassy added.
