US military helping PHL armed forces conduct Yolanda damage assessment

From GMA News (Nov 10): US military helping PHL armed forces conduct Yolanda damage assessment

The United States military is helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines assess the damage caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte province the United States Embassy in Manila said.

Also, US Marines in Okinawa and the US Marine Forces Pacific based in Hawaii were "standing by."

The US through State Secretary John Kerry earlier extended its sympathies to the Philippines over the devastation brought by Yolanda.

Yolanda is said to be the most powerful storm ever to make landfall in recorded history, and it did so six times over the Philippines last Friday.

Updated numbers from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 151 people were killed in the typhoon.

$100,000

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy set aside $100,000 for relief operations for victims Yolanda. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Brian Goldbeck issued a disaster declaration announcing the immediate availability of the amount.

An article on the US Embassy website late Saturday said the $100,000 was for "health, water, and sanitation support to those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda."

The embassy also said a US humanitarian assistance survey team was to fly to Manila to conduct a needs assessment.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance and Response Team personnel have been deployed, with more to possibly follow.

"USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Mission representatives have already deployed at various locales throughout the affected area and determined that the damage is severe in multiple locations," said the US Embassy.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/334786/news/regions/us-military-helping-phl-armed-forces-conduct-yolanda-damage-assessment