The United States is providing an additional P950-million aid to the Philippines for its ongoing relief operations to areas affected by the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
In a statement Wednesday, Dec. 29, the US Embassy in Manila disclosed the additional donation, which brings to more than P1 billion the foreign country's support to the Philippines in its post-Odette relief efforts.
Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), basic necessities such as food; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs will be provided, including shelter assistance to meet emergency needs and help affected communities start rebuilding their homes.
“The United States is pleased to announce an additional and significant assistance of Php950 million, which brings our total amount of aid for Typhoon Odette to over Php1 billion. We stand steadfast with our longstanding friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim Heather Variava said.
“This additional assistance will help deliver food and hygiene supplies, and provide life-saving support to those most in need,” she added.
The new funding came after the US allocated P50 million ($1 million) to support emergency logistics efforts to ensure aid is delivered to those in hard-to-reach areas and the P10-million initial assistance USAID provided after the storm for food, water, and hygiene supplies; to restore water supply services and sanitation facilities; and to support hygiene promotion activities.
READ MORE: US donates additional P50-M aid to PH for 'Odette' relief ops
Meanwhile, Variava is planning to visit communities affected by the deadly typhoon and check the ongoing US relief activities.
Through existing programs, USAID’s partners are transporting relief supplies, including ample food provided by the Philippine government to feed nearly 103,000 families. Its partners are also helping manage evacuation shelters, deploy mobile operations vehicles to support emergency telecommunications, and provide heavy-duty plastic sheeting to meet the shelter needs of 4,800 families.
"The United States will continue to partner with the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts," the Ambassador said.
Since 2010, USAID has provided more than P17 billion in disaster relief and recovery aid and help improve the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines.