In a statement, the funding is in addition to the initial P10 million assistance provided by the United States last December 22 to support the Philippine government’s relief efforts.
It said the aid will provide logistics support to transfer humanitarian workers and relief supplies to communities devastated by Typhoon Odette.
In partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the new USAID funding will provide logistics and emergency telecommunications support in typhoon-affected areas.
The WFP will set up four emergency logistics hubs in Surigao del Norte for storing and distributing relief supplies. With U.S. assistance, WFP will also transport food from the Philippine government to feed tens of thousands of Filipinos and assist with re-establishing the telecommunications networks to support response efforts.
U.S. Embassy to the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava the United States is pleased to provide this additional assistance to support the immediate needs of individuals and families in the areas hardest hit by the typhoon.
“This support will help ensure that food and other life-saving supplies reach communities most in need,” she said.
With the initial funding announced last week, USAID partner Action Against Hunger has been providing immediate food, water, hygiene, and other relief supplies to storm-affected communities in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
The International Organization for Migration, with support from USAID, is also managing evacuation shelters in Caraga and Eastern Visayas and providing relief supplies, including enough heavy-duty plastic sheeting to meet the shelter needs of at least 4,800 families.
Photo from US Embassy