MANILA – The United States government has earmarked PHP 55 million (USD 1 million) in humanitarian aid to communities affected by severe flooding triggered by Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat.”
According to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, the funding will be coursed through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The funding was also announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to Manila on July 30.
According to Blinken, the assistance will address the immediate needs of affected and vulnerable communities in Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, National Capital Region, and Pampanga.
Through this funding, USAID, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and Action Against Hunger, will provide families with access to food aid, hygiene kits, emergency shelter kits, clean water, and one-time cash transfers that will allow them to recover from the disaster safely and with dignity, the US Embassy stated.
“The United States is providing USD 1 million to ensure life-saving assistance reaches families across the archipelago who have been devastated by severe flooding and landslides,” said USAID Acting Mission Director Betty Chung.
“We are committed to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover from this disaster,” Chung added.
USAID has also been providing logistical assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in response to catastrophic floods and rains in Mindanao and Central Luzon.
USAID also supported the International Organization for Migration in distributing 700 shelter-grade tarpaulins and the World Food Programme in transporting 30,000 family food packs to communities in Mindanao, the US Embassy added.
According to data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), at least 14 people were killed and more than 700,000 were displaced due to Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon which caused heavy rainfall, massive flooding, and landslides across the Philippines.
The US Embassy revealed that USAID has already provided over PHP 3 billion (USD 50 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid for the Philippines since 2021, and continues to partner with the Philippine government in enhancing disaster resilience in communities across the country.
