US greenlights $100,000 aid for typhoon victims

from: By Jeff Canoy, abs-cbnnews

MANILA, Philippines - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday expressed condolences to the Philippines after supertyphoon Juan (international codename Megi) devastated parts of Northern Luzon and left at least 10 people dead.

"On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer our condolences for the damage and loss of life caused on the island of Luzon by Typhoon Megi.  Our embassy in Manila
has offered immediate disaster relief assistance, and we are working closely with Philippine authorities to offer additional assistance as needed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Luzon and all Filipinos affected by this tragedy," Clinton said in a statement.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. has instructed the US embassy to provide aid through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID plans to make available US$100,000 to help those affected by the typhoon.

Thomas, who is currently in the United States, met with officials of the National Security Council and the Department of State, and Senator Jim Webb of Virginia to discuss the storm’s impact and the importance of a quick US government response.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all Filipinos during this difficult time. I'm heartened and impressed by the effective measures taken by the people and the government of the Philippines to meet the threat posed by the storm,” he said on Tuesday.

"My embassy team is in constant contact with Philippine authorities and NGO representatives to determine how we can be of further assistance," he added.

At the request of the Philippine government, some US troops and equipment in the country for the annual CARAT and PHIBLEX exercises, along with aircraft and personnel from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, have been diverted for use in assessment of areas affected by the typhoon.

Additional assistance will be determined based on the results of the assessments, he said.

Thomas said he will coordinate with the US military and USAID for typhoon relief efforts.

"It is during challenging times like these that the close partnership between the militaries of the United States and the Philippines proves its value," he said.

"We all recall that American and Filipino soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder to provide assistance during tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng last year. In that same spirit, we stand ready to work with our Filipino partners to assist those affected by Typhoon Juan."