The United States government has extended a new package of humanitarian aid worth P100 million ($2 million) to boost food security in Marawi and nearby areas, the US Embassy in Manila said on Friday.
The United States Agency for International Development, in partnership with the World Food Programme, has provided 1.8 million kilograms of rice—enough to feed 45,000 people for four months—to families displaced by the recent conflict.
Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, said the department received the aid package during a ceremonial turnover in behalf of the Philippine government in Manila on Wednesday.
A statement from the Embassy also quoted US Ambassador Sung Kim, as saying during the ceremonial handover that “the US government continues to stand by the Filipino people as a friend, partner, and ally to support those affected by the Marawi conflict as they rebuild their lives.”
Lanao del Sur Gov. Soraya Bejoria Alonto-Adiong said the local government is profoundly grateful to the government of the United States for its continuing support, in many forms, to the Maranao people.
Alonto-Adiong cited the assistance given to Lanao Sur’s provincial information officer Jennie Alonto Tamano, who was given a privileged tour of the US recently, through the Visitors’ Program of the Department of State and on the invitation of the US Embassy in Manila.
Meanwhile, 50 units of Brother Sewing Machines will be distributed to beneficiaries of the province’s livelihood support program designed to help hasten economic recovery for families displaced by the armed conflict in Marawi City.
Through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the electric-motored sewing machine sets were donated by the Brother International, maker of home sewing and embroidery machines, being part of corporate social responsibility of a transnational corporation, Tamano said.
Rey Laguda, PBSP executive director, turned over the sewing machines to Alonto-Adiong, who thanked both the Brother International and the PBSP during last Thursday’s ceremony at the Provincial Capitol in Marawi City.
The US Embassy statement said the assistance, “which will help ensure adequate food supply for families affected by the Marawi conflict, brings the total US government contribution to the Marawi humanitarian response to nearly P1.2 billion ($22.9 million).”
Ambassador Kim was joined by Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, officer-in-charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, spokesperson of Task Force Bangon Marawi; and Stephen Gluning, country director of the World Food Programme.
USAID is the lead US government agency for international development and disaster assistance. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation.
The statement also noted that US government, through USAID, has been a key partner with the Philippine government in the recovery, stabilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and surrounding areas. USAID continues to work closely with the Philippine government and development partners to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance and promote long-term stability in Marawi.