Global aid pours in for Visayas after Typhoon Tino
US pledges $1M in disaster relief; Timor Leste sends engineers, firefighters for rehab work
PCO photo
The Philippines has expressed its gratitude to the international community for the outpouring of humanitarian support following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino across Cebu and parts of Central Philippines.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the government “expresses its sincere appreciation” for the aid and solidarity shown by global partners in response to the widespread destruction left by the typhoon.
“We are deeply heartened by the many messages of sympathy and solidarity that we received from our international partners,” the DFA said.
The DFA welcomed, in particular, the offer of Timor-Leste, the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to send 120 Timorese engineers and firefighters to assist in clearing operations and rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.
Officials described the gesture as a significant display of regional cooperation and solidarity, particularly as ASEAN nations continue to strengthen collective disaster response mechanisms.
US commits $1M in emergency aid
In a separate statement, the US Department of State announced that Washington will provide $1 million (approximately P58 million) in immediate life-saving assistance to support Philippine-led relief operations.
The assistance includes emergency shelter, logistics services, and access to clean water and sanitation for communities hardest hit by the storm, many of which were still recovering from earlier disasters, including the Cebu earthquake in September.
“The United States and the Philippines are not only ironclad allies—we are friends and partners bound by a shared history, common values, and a steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the State Department’s statement read.
“As millions of Filipinos face the challenges left by these disasters, our rapid response stands as a testament to the depth and resilience of our enduring ties, especially in times of crisis,” it added.
The US State Department said its disaster relief efforts will remain closely coordinated with the Philippine government and local organizations “to ensure timely and effective relief for those most in need,” especially with another severe storm forecast to impact the country in the coming days.
The assistance forms part of a growing wave of global support for the Philippines’ ongoing recovery from “Tino,” which brought heavy flooding and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure across the Visayas region.