The United States government is contributing ₱84 million ($1.5 million) to bolster the Philippines’ response to Tropical Storm Kristine, internationally known as Trami.
The funding aims to support the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in its ongoing efforts to deliver critical, life-saving aid to communities heavily impacted in the Bicol region and Batangas.
This financial support from the U.S. government will enable USAID to provide essential services, including clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance. Additionally, USAID will assist in the logistical management of evacuation centers to aid those displaced by the storm.
On October 27, the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD), with USAID’s support, dispatched 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 household relief kits to the Bicol region.
These relief items were transported by a C-130 aircraft provided by the Singaporean government and were prepositioned at the OCD humanitarian relief depot in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site.
The prepositioning effort, intended to streamline disaster response, was initially launched in September by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“My heart goes out to all those suffering the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine,” Ambassador Carlson said.
“We are working side by side with the Philippine government to bring relief to communities in need,” she added.
Since October 25, the U.S. has collaborated with humanitarian partners across the Philippines to distribute prepositioned relief supplies.
Through USAID funding, the World Food Programme mobilized 33 trucks to assist the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering over 53,000 family food packs and additional relief items to affected families in the Bicol region.
The U.S. government’s latest contribution builds on a longstanding commitment to supporting the Philippines’ disaster response. Earlier this year, the U.S. extended similar assistance during the Mindanao floods in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian earlier in October.
Since 2010, the U.S. government has provided more than ₱21.85 billion ($390.2 million) in disaster relief, preparedness, and recovery support across the Philippines, with USAID working year-round to enhance local resilience against the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.
