US provides an additional P950 million to Odette relief efforts

Last Wednesday, the United States announced that they will provide an additional $19 million (~ P950 million) to relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Odette. This brings the country’s total monetary assistance to over P1 billion. 

“The United States is pleased to announce additional and significant assistance of PHP950 million, which brings our total amount of aid for Typhoon Odette to over PHP1 billion. We stand steadfast with our long-standing friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said in a statement.

According to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the additional funds will provide the affected individuals with food, water, hygiene supplies, and shelter assistance. 

Variava is also expected to visit affected communities to oversee US relief efforts. 

The typhoon made landfall last December 16th, bringing destructive winds and rains to the Philippines, mainly in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions. In its wake, over 4.3 million people were affected across 11 regions, leaving almost 400 dead and over 1,100 injured. According to the NDRRMC, more than 561,000 people have been displaced with 305,229 people taking shelter in evacuation centers. 

The embassy has also said that Washington DC will continue to partner with the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts. Through the existing programs, the USAID’s partners are transporting supplies and food to nearly 103,000 families. They have also aided with managing evacuation shelters, deploying mobile operation vehicles, and providing heavy-duty plastic sheeting to 4,800 families in need of shelter.

Source: Philippine News Agency