DAVAO CITY - The United States government on Wednesday donated over a thousand hygiene kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Davao City government.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim formally handed over the donations of the USAID and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency to City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a virtual ceremony.
Kim said the donation was made in support of Davao City's efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic. He added that it is also a result of the longstanding special friendship between the United States and the Philippines.
“While the pandemic tests all of us, I know from my four years in the Philippines that the deep bond between our two countries will help us meet this challenge. In fact, I am confident that we will come through this stronger together,” Kim said.
In a statement, the USAID, along with the American company Procter and Gamble, will also provide 1,450 hygiene kits for the city which will be distributed to facilities caring for the vulnerable sectors.
The hygiene kits contain face masks, soap, laundry detergent, dish-washing liquid, toothbrushes, and sanitary napkins. The PPE donation is part of the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s P15 million worth of PPE and medical supplies to hospitals across the country.
It is also part of the US$20.5 million estimated investment to support the Philippine’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response. The donation will augment the ongoing US government efforts in Davao City to respond to coronavirus pandemic.
The USAID assistance enhances laboratory and specimen transport systems, infection prevention and control, risk communication, health care waste management, disease surveillance, contact tracing, and case management.
The US Defense Threat Reduction Agency has supported the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Davao with decontamination training and equipment as well as boosted bio security efforts in both human and animal populations.
The United States has provided more than P228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance.
With its local counterparts, the USAID is also working to ensure the continued provision of vital tuberculosis, family planning, and maternal and child health services.