The Philippine government on Friday thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for extending rapid humanitarian assistance to those affected by Super Typhoon Rolly that left at least 20 people dead and more than Php 6 billion worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the country.
In a message, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conveyed its sincere appreciation to the UAE for the support it has given to Filipinos affected by the typhoon, so far the strongest to hit the country in 2020. The rapid assistance was coursed through the Philippine Red Cross.
“This kind gesture will be remembered as a gesture from the heart of a caring nation that is the UAE, a true and reliable friend of the Philippines,” the DFA said in a statement.
It was reported that more than 2 million people were affected by the typhoon, and over 1 million of them are currently in government evacuation centers.
Also on Friday, the United States government announced that it will provide Php 9.7 million (US$200,000) to support the Philippine government’s efforts to assist families badly affected by Typhoon Rolly.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will work with local partners to provide food, emergency shelter, and cash assistance for 22,500 people in Albay and Catanduanes provinces.
As part of USAID’s ongoing disaster preparedness assistance, the United Nations World Food Programme has already transported 35 truckloads of food and other emergency relief for disaster-affected families on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In partnership with the International Organization for Migration, the USAID is also supporting DSWD with emergency shelter supplies for 3,000 households, training for staff managing evacuation centers, and the provision of 500 family-size modular tents to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the centers.
“The United States will continue to partner with the Government of the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support the people of the Philippines in their recovery efforts,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.