US gives ₱13.8 M more in aid to help flood victims

The United States has allocated an additional ₱13.8 million worth of funding for emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits to the victims of the recent typhoons and flooding in Luzon.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO and ELLSON QUISMORIO

House Speaker Martin Romualdez described the move as “the continuing solidarity of our oldest ally in times of adversity” and a gesture of the US’ unwavering commitment to stand with the Filipino people in both good times and in times of great need.

The US Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 8, that the new provision will cover some 3,000 families, or around 15,800 persons in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga.

“Although flooding has subsided in most areas, thousands of families remaining in evacuation centers continue to face significant challenges,” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Robert Ewing said.

This latest provision has brought the total amount of US humanitarian support for disaster response efforts in the Philippines to ₱27.6 million ($500,000).

The P13.8-million will fund shelter-grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and essential household supplies, which will be distributed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Each shelter repair kit contains basic construction tools and materials to help families begin rebuilding their homes.