US gives P51.1-M add’l logistics support for ‘Odette’-hit areas

MANILA – The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional PHP51.1 million to help transport relief supplies to communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

This fresh aid brings the total US assistance to more than PHP1.08 billion, the US Embassy in Manila said Thursday.

“As friends, partners, and allies, we will continue to support the Philippines in its post-typhoon recovery,” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said. “This additional assistance will help deliver food and other essential items to communities devastated by the typhoon.”

In coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), USAID and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will deploy an additional 300 trucks to transport food and other supplies to typhoon-affected areas.

This partnership will also support OCD in delivering relief supplies to remote municipalities and barangays.

Sarah Charles, assistant to the administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, announced this additional support at a virtual UN briefing on February 2.

It builds on the US government’s PHP1 billion assistance announced last December to provide food; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs; shelter assistance; and logistics support to typhoon-affected communities.

As of January 28, USAID and WFP have already provided more than 300 trucks to transport approximately 350,000 household food rations, as well as hygiene kits, kitchen sets, and shelter kits to communities devastated by Typhoon Odette, the Embassy said.

USAID, through its partners, has also helped manage evacuation shelters, deployed mobile operations vehicles to support emergency telecommunications, and provided heavy-duty plastic sheeting to meet the shelter needs of 4,800 families.

“The United States will continue to partner with the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts,” the Embassy said.