MANILA, Philippines - The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced an additional Php196 million (USD 3.5 million) to support the Philippines’ response to Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
In a news release from the U.S. Embassy, it mentioned that the humanitarian assistance will support “logistics and provide clean water, sanitation, and cash assistance to help residents in the most affected areas of Bicol and Batangas meet their basic needs.”
“This assistance is also supporting communities that have been affected by subsequent disasters,” the statement read.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the new funding is in addition to the Php84 million ($1.5 million) announced in October to provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene assistance, and critical logistics support, raising the total value of U.S. support for the Philippines’ disaster response to Php280 million ($5 million).
“As your friend, partner, and ally, the United States is committed to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said.
USAID and International Organization for Migration (IOM) are working together to assist more than 4,000 families in the Bicol region, Ilocos region, and Batangas by providing shelter grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and WASH kits, the U.S. Embassy mentioned.
Through USAID funding, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) also mobilized 92 trucks that supported the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in delivering more than 150,000 family food packs and other relief items to Albay, Benguet, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union, the U.S. Embassy added.
Since October 25, the U.S. Embassy said that the United States has been working with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities affected by tropical storms, typhoons, and subsequent flooding.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) distributed 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 kitchen sets funded by USAID to disaster-affected families in Albay and Camarines Sur. These relief items were prepositioned in the OCD humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in Nueva Ecija, the Embassy added.
The Embassy also underscored the new assistance as it builds on the United States' previous support to the Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, including during catastrophic flooding in Mindanao in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian in October.
