THE United States provided an additional $8 million (P400 million) to aid recovery efforts of the Philippines in areas heavily affected by typhoon “Odette” in December last year.
The additional assistance, coursed through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), brings to $29.2 million (P1.4 billion) the total aid Washington has given Manila for Odette efforts.
“The US government continues to support the people most affected by typhoon Odette, the world’s worst cyclone event,” USAID Assistant to the Administrator Sara Charles said.
“The United States is pleased to provide this additional assistance to meet the recovery needs of individuals and families in the areas hardest hit by typhoon Odette, and we will continue to work with our partners in the Philippines and across the region to help communities prepare for such disasters and build greater resilience,” Charles added.
Over the weekend, Charles, who also leads USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, also distributed shelter supplies in Barangay Caridad, Pilar town in Surigao del Norte. She also met with local government officials, and was given updates by USAID partners on the ground.
With the additional aid, Charles said, USAID partners will provide emergency maternal and child health services, repair damaged health centers, extend protection services for vulnerable persons, support livelihood recovery for farmers and fisherfolk, and assist households in rebuilding their homes in safe locations.
Since December, USAID and its partners such as the Action Against Hunger, Catholic Relief Services, World Food Program, and the International Organization for Migration have provided food, emergency cash, water, hygiene supplies, and other relief items to people affected by the typhoon particularly in Mindanao, and helped over 8,000 families rebuild their homes.
Charles said the United States will continue to partner with the Philippines to better respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts.
