PH gets $450M for disaster response

THE United States will provide over P450 million or about $8 million in additional funding to strengthen disaster preparedness and response in vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

The new funding, to be implemented by the US Agency for International Development (USAid), will enhance typhoon preparedness and develop resilient livelihood strategies in Bicol, Caraga and Eastern Visayas.

«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 US Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Monday.

«Strong typhoons came earlier than expected this year, and we're reminded of how vulnerable many Philippine communities are to the impacts of natural disasters,» USAid Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said.

«We are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government to help the Filipino people prepare for and respond to disasters,» Washburn said.

The assistance will train personnel from the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other relevant government agencies in setting up post-disaster logistics, emergency shelters and emergency telecommunications.

The embassy said the 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 US is «a key partner of the Philippine government in preparing for and responding to disasters, as well as delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance,» it added.

Since 2010, USAid has provided close to P17 billion or about $372 million in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines, the embassy said.