US donates P196 million to typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines —  An additional P196 million ($3.5 million) in aid to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in the Philippines has been provided by the US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The funds will augment the P84 million ($1.5 million) donated by the US last month shortly after Kristine’s onslaught, which claimed the lives of at least 159 people in the Bicol region and northern Luzon provinces.

Around 2,430,237 families or 9,626,456 people affected and displaced by the cyclone are receiving government assistance.

Clean water, shelter and cash assistance for residents of Bicol and Batangas will be provided by the USAID through the additional funds. Logistics and sanitation support are also covered.

The total value of US support for the Philippines’ disaster response is now at P280 million ($5 million).

“As your friend, partner and ally, the United States is committed to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover,” said US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.

Since Oct. 25, the US has been working with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities affected by tropical cyclones and flooding.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) earlier distributed 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 kitchen sets funded by the USAID to disaster-affected families in Albay