The United States is providing $100,000 (PhP4.1 million) to support disaster relief efforts for victims of Tropical Storm Sendong following President Aquino’s declaration of a state of national calamity.
Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. said, “On behalf of the U.S. government and the American people, I extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to those who have suffered the tragic loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods due to floods caused by Tropical Storm Sendong.”
Ambassador Thomas announced that the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) will provide immediate emergency relief assistance in partnership with U.S.-based non-governmental organization Catholic Relief Services.
“From our discussions with the Philippine authorities, it appears that among the immediate needs of flood-affected communities are non-food emergency supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and containers for potable water, so the United States’ initial contribution in this instance will be used to provide these types of items to the most-affected individuals in Mindanao,” Ambassador Thomas said.
USAID and OFDA sent a team earlier this week to visit flood-stricken areas in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and on-going assessments are being conducted to determine whether additional U.S. funding might be needed to assist with relief and recovery operations.
The Ambassador added, “As a good friend and longstanding development partner, the United States will continue our work with the Philippine government and remain committed to help Filipinos overcome this great tragedy.”
For 50 years the United States has been a key partner of the Philippines in addressing the humanitarian needs of Filipinos in times of disaster. The United States was among the countries that took an active role in contributing to recovery efforts following Typhoons Reming and Milenyo in 2006, Frank in 2008, and Ondoy in 2009.