The United States has committed an additional $1.5 million in emergency life-saving assistance to the Philippines following severe damage from recent typhoons.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson announced the expanded support during her visit to Clark Air Force Base, where she witnessed ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations, including the shipment of thousands of family food packs (FFPs) to affected areas.
Carlson was received by Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, alongside personnel from the AFP, USINDOPACOM, DSWD, and OCD, who have been jointly sustaining relief deliveries to Catanduanes and other hard-hit communities.
With the latest contribution, total US assistance for the response has reached $2.5 million.
“Your dedication, teamwork, and compassion embody the very best of what partnership represents,” Carlson said, praising the Philippines’ preparedness efforts.
As of November 15, the DSWD has allocated 10,000 FFPs for Catanduanes, with 8,500 already delivered to Virac and the remaining 1,500 en route.
During the engagement, Teodoro and Carlson met with Filipino and American service members managing staging and transport operations, inspected an opened FFP, and toured a US C-130 aircraft used for rapid relief missions.
Teodoro highlighted the deepening alliance, saying, “I believe that the alliance between the United States and the Philippines becomes stronger every time we are tested together,” adding that their shared commitment is rooted in helping the vulnerable and defending shared principles.