US commits P201M aid to Mindanao in fight vs COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government will give an additional P201 million aid to vulnerable populations in Mindanao to fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

This brought the total amount of US aid to the Philippines to over P978 million, the US embassy said Friday.

US Ambassador Sung Kim earlier virtually met with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials, where they were able to discuss the challenges and present its COVID-19 contingency plan with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“In these trying times, I am inspired by the resilience and courage of the Filipino people,” Kim said.

“The United States and the Philippines have met and overcome many challenges together, and I am confident that working together we will overcome this challenge as well,” he added.

With the additional P201 million aid, USAID will be able to protect from the COVID-19 pandemic those displaced by the armed conflict and the recent quakes in Mindanao.

USAID will reach over 100,000 persons with distributions of essential hygiene supplies, handwashing stations, hygiene promotion to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission and to allow communities to reopen.

It will also continue to provide water supply in transitory sites in Lanao del Sur for families displaced by the Marawi siege and in North Cotabato for earthquake-affected communities.

The US government has provided over P228 billion in the development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion in health assistance.

At present, the Philippines has a total of 20,382 COVID-19 cases in the country, with 4,248 recoveries and 984 deaths.

EDV