The United States has pledged an additional $1.5 million, or P87 million, in emergency aid to the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Uwan, the US Embassy in Manila said Saturday, bringing Washington’s total disaster-relief contribution to $2.5 million, approximately P145 million.
The funds will support the Philippine government’s relief operations, including logistics, emergency shelter, water and sanitation services, and the management of evacuation centers, the embassy said in a statement.
US military units have also joined the effort. The US Indo-Pacific Command said it deployed assets and personnel to assist in disaster response, working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense, and other local agencies.
“In the immediate aftermath of Super Typhoon Fung-wong … the United States continues to answer the call for assistance from one of our closest friends, partners, and allies, the Philippines,” the embassy said.
As of November 13, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that around 4.68 million people across 16 regions were affected by Super Typhoon Uwan.
The announcement comes as the country grapples with overlapping disasters. In addition to Super Typhoon Uwan and Typhoon Tino, the Philippines is still recovering from a magnitude-6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu in late September.
Meanwhile, the European Union has allocated more than P85 million (€1.2 million) in humanitarian assistance to support communities in Cebu devastated by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. The aid aims to address urgent needs and bolster ongoing relief efforts following the widespread destruction brought by the consecutive storms.
“Notably, funding will directly support beneficiaries in communities affected by the typhoons in Cebu that had been previously hit by the recent earthquake,” the EU said.
According to separate NDRRMC situational reports, Typhoons Tino and Uwan affected more than 11 million individuals and left 276 dead nationwide.
The EU added that of its total donation, P17 million will be allocated to the Philippine Red Cross to assist people in Cebu displaced by the earthquake and typhoons.
