US sends food packs, makeshift shelters to Karding-hit areas

AID. A truck deployed by the US government to help the country’s recovery efforts following the onslaught of Typhoon Karding that hit Luzon over the weekend. US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the US Embassy in Manila would continue to coordinate with the Philippine government and its partners to help hard-hit communities on the ground. (Photo courtesy of US Embassy in Manila)

MANILA – The United States has sent food packs and 3,000 shelter-grade tarpaulins to help families in the regions of Central Luzon and Calabarzon affected by the devastation brought by Typhoon Karding.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Tuesday said the US Embassy in Manila would continue to coordinate with the Philippine government and its partners to help hard-hit communities on the ground.

“In response to Typhoon Karding, we are standing by our friends, partners, and allies: the US government, through the US Agency for International Aid (USAID), is supporting national telecommunications and logistics operations by supplying five trucks to deliver food packs and 3,000 shelter tarpaulins to affected families in Calabarzon and Central Luzon,” the embassy said Tuesday.

Some 16,476 families or 60,817 people were affected by the typhoon, based on the data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

As of 8 a.m., at least 46,008 people are sheltered in 976 evacuation centers. A total of six areas in Ilocos and Calabarzon, meanwhile, are still experiencing communication outages or issues.

Aside from the US envoy, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa also sent his thoughts to the families affected by the typhoon.

“My sincerest sympathy to everyone affected by Typhoon Karding. It is heartbreaking to know its devastating aftermath to many Filipinos’ livelihood & the lives lost, especially the death of five rescue workers in Bulacan. Let us hold on together in these tough times,” he said Tuesday.

Australian Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu said Canberra also stands ready to support Manila’s recovery efforts.

“Australia sends its heartfelt sympathy to the communities affected by Karding. We are saddened by the loss of lives and stand ready to support recovery efforts in the affected areas,” she said in a tweet.