Obama ‘deeply saddened’ by Philippines devastation
US President Barack Obama. AP FILE PHOTO
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, are “deeply saddened” by the deaths and damage caused by Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in the Philippines this weekend.
Obama said the United States is providing “significant” humanitarian assistance and is prepared to further assist relief and recovery efforts.
“Yolanda” struck the eastern seaboard of the Philippines on Friday and quickly barreled across its central islands, packing winds that gusted up to 170 miles (274 kilometers) per hour.
The death toll has climbed into the thousands, and about 4 million people were affected by the storm.
Obama praised the Philippine people for their “incredible resiliency.”
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