CAGAYAN DE OR CITY - The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided over P450 million ($8 million) in additional funding to strengthen disaster preparedness and response in vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
The new funding will primarily enhance typhoon preparedness
and develop resilient livelihood strategies in the regions of Bicol, CARAGA,
and Eastern Visayas regions. 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.
Additionally, USAID’s 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.
USAID will also work with local governments in Eastern Samar
and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to set up referral
systems for children’s welfare and protection during disasters.
“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,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government to help the
Filipino people prepare for and respond to disasters,” he added.
The United States is a key partner of the Philippine
government in preparing for and responding to disasters, as well as delivering
life-saving humanitarian assistance.
Since 2010, USAID has provided approximately P17 billion ($372 million)
in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction
capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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