US earmarks P28-M for northern Luzon relief

US AID. Military personnel unload US government-donated emergency supplies in Batanes on Oct. 8, 2024. The embassy said this aid builds on the previous US support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, such as during the massive flooding in Mindanao in February and Super Typhoon Carina in July. (Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Manila)

MANILA, Philippines – The United States government intends to provide P28 million, or USD500,000, in humanitarian aid to help communities affected by Super Typhoon Julian in northern Luzon.

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Manila said the funding was made upon the request of the Philippine government.

Through this aid, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide emergency shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene support for more than 4,000 households, or 16,000 people, in typhoon-affected areas.

Since Oct. 7, the US Department of Defense has been mobilizing multiple military assets to provide logistics support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Office of Civil Defense in transporting humanitarian supplies from Manila to Batanes.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by Super Typhoon Julian, especially those living in the most devastated areas, including hard-to-reach Batanes,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said.

“The United States is working closely with our Filipino friends, partners, and allies to provide life-saving assistance to enable those in disaster areas to recover as quickly as possible,” she added.

The embassy said this aid builds on the previous US support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, such as during the massive flooding in Mindanao in February and Super Typhoon Carina in July.

Since 2010, the US government has invested P21.8 billion, or USD388 million, for disaster response, preparedness, and early recovery in the Philippines.