The United States has committed Php84 million ($1.5 million) to aid the Philippines’ response to Tropical Storm Kristine, known internationally as Trami.
This funding will support the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) ongoing humanitarian efforts in Bicol and Batangas, providing clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance to affected individuals.
In addition, USAID will assist in managing evacuation centers to ensure safe and dignified conditions for evacuees.
On October 27, USAID partnered with the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to send 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 relief kits to Bicol, utilizing a C-130 aircraft from the Singaporean government.
These supplies were stored at Fort Magsaysay, an EDCA site in Nueva Ecija, as part of a strategic humanitarian prepositioning effort launched by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in September.
Ambassador Carlson expressed deep sympathy for those impacted by the storm, affirming the U.S.’s commitment to work closely with the Philippine government in delivering relief.
Since October 25, the U.S. has collaborated with humanitarian organizations to distribute prepositioned relief supplies nationwide.
With USAID support, the World Food Programme deployed 33 trucks to assist the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering over 53,000 family food packs to Bicol.
This assistance continues a long-standing U.S. commitment to supporting Philippine disaster response, including aid for the February Mindanao floods, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian earlier in October.
Since 2010, the U.S. has provided more than Php21.85 billion ($390.2 million) in disaster relief and preparedness aid, helping Filipino communities build resilience against natural disasters.