US to provide assistance to areas hit by typhoon; extends 1,000 metric tons of food for disaster-affected families

September 19, 2018

The United States on Wednesday pledged to provide assistance to the Philippine government response efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon Ompong.

In a statement released by the US Embassy in the Manila, the US government through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) said it is partnering with a non-governmental organization to provide essential hygiene supplies for 5,500 people who lost their homes and livelihoods in Cagayan province, one of the provinces hard hit by the typhoon.

US Ambassador Sung Kim revealed that as part of USAID’s ongoing disaster preparedness programming with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the United Nations World Food Programme is transporting 1,000 metric tons of food to disaster-affected families.

Latest reports showed Typhoon Ompong triggered flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, killing at least 81 people, destroying billions of pesos worth of crops and livelihoods, and damaging homes throughout northern Luzon.  More than 180,000 found safety in government evacuation centers.

Kim also expressed the US government’s deepest condolences for the victims of the Typhoon Ompong.

The American envoy said the US government is ready to extend more assistance in support of government’s ongoing relief work in the typhoon-ravaged areas.

“I would like to express again our deepest condolences for the victims of Typhoon Ompong.  We commend the Government of the Philippines and local authorities for evacuating people before the storm and for their search and rescue efforts,” the US ambassador said in a statement.

“We hope that our support will provide comfort to the victims during this difficult time.  We also hope to provide further assistance as needs are identified,” he added. DMS