An outpour of support from several countries came to the Philippines as the national government raced to reach out to the areas affected by typhoon "Odette" days after its onslaught.
The United States (US), China, and South Korea announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22, that they will each provide cash assistance to the Philippines to help in its relief operations.
US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim Heather Variava said that the US, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), "is providing P10 million in immediate assistance to support communities devastated by typhoon Odette".
“The United States is providing P10 million in immediate support, including food and shelter for communities affected by typhoon Odette,” Variava said.
Variava said USAID is partnering with Action Against Hunger to provide food, water, hygiene supplies, and other relief items to people affected by the typhoon in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
China, on the other hand, disclosed that it will provide US$1 million (approximately P50 million) in emergency cash assistance to the Philippines "to help the government and people in the typhoon Odette affected areas overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date".
This was announced by Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian as he turned over the last batch of 10,000 metric tons of China-aided rice to the Philippine government on Dec. 22.
The Chinese envoy said the "donations have echoed President Xi Jinping’s condolences offered yesterday (Dec. 21)".
Xi has extended to President Duterte his deep mourning for the victims and his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and injured. He expressed that "China stood ready to render assistance to the Philippine side to the best of its ability."
READ MORE: Xi extends condolences to Duterte over deadly typhoon Odette in PH
The South Korean government, for its part, will also donate US$2 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the country and an additional US$50,000 worth of in-kind donation in the coming days for relief response.
This was announced by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul during his meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
According to Kim, the US$50,000 will be used to procure and deliver rice to those affected by the typhoon while the US$2 million cash assistance will boost the recovery efforts to build resilience and restore livelihoods in communities affected by typhoon.
On Tuesday, Dec. 21, the US, China, South Korea as well as Japan, Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom launched their respective relief operations to help typhoon-stricken areas in the country by sending basic goods, generator, and temporary shelters.
READ MORE: Int'l community sends help to areas hard-hit by typhoon Odette