MANILA – The United States government is set to provide more than Php 450 million ($ 8 million) in additional funding to help strengthen disaster preparedness and response in vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
According to the US Embassy in the Philippines, the new funding is expected to enhance typhoon preparedness and develop resilient livelihood strategies in the Bicol region, CARAGA, and Eastern Visayas.
The said amount will also fund partnerships with the private sector to help ensure that businesses and other critical services, such as energy and water, are available after disasters.
In a statement released by the embassy, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said that since strong typhoons came earlier than expected this year, it is important to be reminded of the impacts of natural disasters in many vulnerable Philippine communities.
““We are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government to help the Filipino people prepare for and respond to disasters,” Washburn said.
The USAID’s assistance will also help in training personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government agencies in setting up post-disaster logistics, emergency shelters and emergency telecommunications.
They will also work closely with local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Samar and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to set up referral systems for children’s welfare and protection during disasters.
According to the embassy, the USAID has provided approximately Php 17 billion ($372 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid since 2010, making the United States a key partner of the Philippine government in preparing for and responding to disasters, as well as delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance.
