a day ago
US provides additional P13.8-million relief aid for Philippines
The United States is providing P13.8 million more in relief aid to the Philippines to support the government's disaster response efforts in areas affected by severe floodings caused by tropical storms and an enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) last July.
Additional funding will provide emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits to more than 3,000 families, or about 15,800 individuals, housed in evacuation centers in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga, the US Embassy in Manila said Friday.
The second tranche of aid from Washington brings the total amount of its assistance to P27.6 million or $500,000.
US military air assets were also sent to the country to help the the Armed Forces of the Philippines deliver 6,300 food packs for 18,000 residents in remote areas in the northern Philippine province of Batanes.
'Although flooding has subsided in most areas, thousands of families remaining in evacuation centers continue to face significant challenges,' US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Robert Ewing said. 'We are grateful to be working alongside our partners, including IOM, the World Food Programme, the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense, and the DSWD, to help affected families recover and rebuild.'
More than 1.8 million families were affected by the disaster and around 20,000 remain in temporary government shelters, according officials.
Evacuees will receive shelter-grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and essential household supplies to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed, the embassy said.
Each shelter repair kit contains basic construction tools and materials to help families begin rebuilding their homes.
To promote health and sanitation and improve living conditions in evacuation centers, families will also receive hygiene kits containing soap, buckets, and cleaning supplies.
The IOM or the International Organization for Migration will monitor the condition of hygiene and sanitation facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of affected families, the embassy said. — Michaela Del Callar/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
