U.S. Deploys Naval Vessel To Help Philippine Landslide Victims
Philippine Red Cross also authorized to use previously allocated relief funds
The United States is deploying a U.S. naval vessel and has authorized the Philippine Red Cross to use previously allocated emergency relief funds to assist those affected by the February 17 landslide on the Philippine island of Leyte, approximately 670 kilometers southeast of Manila.
According to a statement from U.S. Embassy Manila, the United States has authorized the Philippine Red Cross to use approximately $50,000 of emergency relief funds already granted to the organization in the wake of a previous disaster. The embassy also is coordinating with the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Asia Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to seek additional funds for relief assistance as quickly as possible.
In addition, the United States has received a request from the Philippine Red Cross for helicopter support to assist with rescue and relief operations in the area and is working with the National Disaster Coordinating Council to determine how these assets could be best used to address needs in the affected area.
The U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) in Hawaii is postured to assist in disaster relief if the government of the Philippines requests U.S. military assistance, says PACOM public affairs officer U.S. Major David P. Doherty.
According to wire services, the landslide struck Guinsaugon village between 9 and 10 a.m. local time, burying an elementary school and hundreds of houses in 9.1 meters of mud. Two other villages also were hit but suffered less damage. Rescue workers had retrieved 53 survivors and 23 bodies by nightfall on February 17. Approximately 1,400 people remain missing.
"The United States expresses our sincere condolences to the people of the Philippines for the loss of life and the suffering of other victims, family members and loved ones. We hope and pray that ongoing search and rescue operations will help save as many lives as possible," White House deputy spokesman Trent Duffy said later in the day.
The United States is deploying a U.S. naval vessel and has authorized the Philippine Red Cross to use previously allocated emergency relief funds to assist those affected by the February 17 landslide on the Philippine island of Leyte, approximately 670 kilometers southeast of Manila.
According to a statement from U.S. Embassy Manila, the United States has authorized the Philippine Red Cross to use approximately $50,000 of emergency relief funds already granted to the organization in the wake of a previous disaster. The embassy also is coordinating with the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Asia Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to seek additional funds for relief assistance as quickly as possible.
In addition, the United States has received a request from the Philippine Red Cross for helicopter support to assist with rescue and relief operations in the area and is working with the National Disaster Coordinating Council to determine how these assets could be best used to address needs in the affected area.
The U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) in Hawaii is postured to assist in disaster relief if the government of the Philippines requests U.S. military assistance, says PACOM public affairs officer U.S. Major David P. Doherty.
According to wire services, the landslide struck Guinsaugon village between 9 and 10 a.m. local time, burying an elementary school and hundreds of houses in 9.1 meters of mud. Two other villages also were hit but suffered less damage. Rescue workers had retrieved 53 survivors and 23 bodies by nightfall on February 17. Approximately 1,400 people remain missing.
"The United States expresses our sincere condolences to the people of the Philippines for the loss of life and the suffering of other victims, family members and loved ones. We hope and pray that ongoing search and rescue operations will help save as many lives as possible," White House deputy spokesman Trent Duffy said later in the day.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
10:01 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home