The US has provided P450 million to the Philippines as additional funding to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities.
In a statement, the US Embassy in the Philippines said the new funding will come from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) intended to enhance typhoon preparedness and develop resilient strategies in Regions 5, 8, and the Caraga Region.
“It will also fund partnerships with the private sector to help ensure the continuity of businesses and other critical services, such as energy and water, after disasters,” the statement said.
Part of the US assistance also involves training personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government agencies.
The US Embassy stressed that it will help them set up post-disaster logistics, emergency shelters, and emergency telecommunications.
“USAID will also work with local government units in Eastern Samar and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to set up referral systems for children’s welfare and protection during disasters,” the embassy said.
USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said the P450 million disaster fund for the Philippines reminded the US how vulnerable the many Philippine communities are to the impacts of natural disasters.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government to help the Filipino people prepare for and respond to disasters,” Washburn stressed.
The US is a Philippine partner in preparing for and responding to disasters.
Since 2010, USAID has provided approximately P17 billion in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines.