US gives ‘Odette’-Ravaged Areas P51-M Logistics Support

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an additional PHP51.1 million for the transportation of relief goods to areas ravaged by Typhoon Odette.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said that the additional aid will help in delivering essential items and food to communities devastated by the typhoon.

“As friends, partners, and allies, we will continue to support the Philippines in its post-typhoon recovery,” Variava added.

USAID coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), USAID and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the deployment of 300 additional trucks to transport food and other supplies to the typhoon-ravaged areas.

This partnership will also support OCD in delivering relief supplies to far-flung municipalities and barangays.

The additional assistance brings the total US aid to The Philippines to more than PHP1.08 billion, according to the US Embassy in Manila.

The US has started its assistance to ‘Odette’-ravaged areas in December as the country’s longtime ally provided food; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs; shelter assistance; and logistics support to typhoon-affected communities.

As of January 28, USAID and WFP have already provided more than 300 trucks to transport approximately 350,000 household food rations, as well as hygiene kits, kitchen sets, and shelter kits to communities devastated by Typhoon Odette. (GFB)