US provides P70 M for humanitarian response to Mindanao flooding, landslides
The United States will provide P70 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by severe flooding and deadly landslides in Mindanao.
According to the US Embassy in Manila, the funding that will be coursed through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation, and essential hygiene items to support disaster-affected communities in Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao City in Mindanao.
The embassy added that USAID will tie up with Catholic Relief Services and Action Against Hunger "to ensure this life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable groups, including single-parent households, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, low-income families, and indigenous peoples."
Aside from funding, the US government also provided two military planes at the request of the Philippines. The C-130s assisted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, and USAID in delivering 15,000 DSWD food packs to affected families.
"Last week, USAID partnered with the Philippines Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the International Organization for Migration to provide emergency shelter for more than 5,000 affected persons," the embassy said.
"USAID also supported the World Food Programme to transport DSWD food packs to 65,000 families," it added.
On Feb. 8, the US issued a" Declaration of Humanitarian Need" to facilitate support for the Philippine government's response efforts in Mindanao, which welcomed the start of February with flooding and landslides that already claimed the lives of at least 56.
At least 1.2 million were affected, including the 795,000 who were displaced across the region.
"Support to our Allies and partners, and their people in a time of need, is a non-negotiable," US Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general said.
"Working in direct coordination with USAID and the Government of the Philippines, we stand ready to support those who need urgent assistance," he added.