US Gives P201-M Aid to Covid-19 Fight in Mindanao

The United States embassy in the Philippines said on Friday it will give an additional PHP201 million or USD4 million aid to support the vulnerable population in Mindanao affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

This brings Washington’s total assistance to the Philippines to over PHP978 million or approximately USD19.5 million.

The funding, to be implemented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to reach over 100,000 persons with distributions of essential hygiene supplies, handwashing stations as well as promote hygiene to reduce transmission risk.

The aid agency will also continue providing water supply in transitory sites in Lanao del Sur for families displaced by the Marawi Siege and in North Cotabato for earthquake-affected communities.

Last Tuesday, Ambassador Sung Kim met virtually with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials led by Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the BARMM leadership to discuss challenges and present its Covid-19 contingency plan.

“In these trying times, I am inspired by the resilience and courage of the Filipino people,” said Kim. “The United States and the Philippines have met and overcome many challenges together, and I am confident that working together we will overcome this challenge as well.” (PNA)