US: We will help our ally recover from the storm and move forward

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 11): US: We will help our ally recover from the storm and move forward

The United States on Monday vowed to help typhoon-ravaged provinces recover from the storm, which has affected around 10 million people, as it deployed military personnel and assets to Central Philippines to help in the ongoing relief efforts.

Approximately 90 U.S. Marines and sailors from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), and two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived in the Philippines Sunday from its base in Okinawa, Japan, bringing with them communication and logistical equipment to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said U.S. Chargé d' Affaires Brian Goldbeck.

Upon the request of the Philippine government, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has instructed U.S. Pacific Command to support the humanitarian relief efforts, providing maritime search and rescue, medium to heavy lift support, and logistical support, Goldbeck said.

“In coordination with our Philippine friends, the U.S. will help our ally recover from the storm and move forward,” Goldbeck told a press conference.

A Forward Command Element and Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST), led by Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy, the deputy commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the commanding general of the 3rd MEB, arrived in the Philippines on November 10 to provide an initial assessments of support required.

The initial focus of military efforts, Goldbeck said, includes surface maritime search and rescue (SAR), airborne maritime SAR, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers.

“U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific maintains significant capability throughout the Asia-Pacific region ready to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Without forward deployed forces, rapid and fully capable deployments to such disasters like super typhoon 'Yolanda" (international name: Haiyan) would not be possible,” he said.

The US earlier released funds to provide health, water, and sanitation support to the victims. At least 21 other nations have also pledged financial, logistical, and medical assistance.

"A US government team arrived in Leyte province ahead of other international government assessment teams and initially reported that in certain areas 90 percent of the housing has been significantly damaged or destroyed," Goldbeck said.

"The team continues to survey regions hardest hit by the storm, but representatives have determined that the damage is severe in multiple locations,” he said.

Yolanda is said to be the strongest and most dangerous storm to hit land.

US survey teams said emergency shelter supplies -- such as plastic sheeting -- are urgently needed by those who have lost their homes, as well as clean water, hygiene kits, and improved sanitation facilities -- all to help prevent illness and death from waterborne and communicable diseases.

Relief supplies from the USAID’s warehouses in Dubai, United Arab Emirates will be flown in to the affected areas and will arrive in the coming days.

This will include a total of 1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting and 10,000 hygiene kits, such as soap, toothbrushes, toilet paper, sanitary supplies sufficient to meet the needs of 10,000 families.

In addition, some 55 metric tons of emergency food products to sustain 20,000 children and 15 adults for about 4 to 5 days will be shipped.

An additional 1,020 metric tons of rice pre-positioned in Colombo, Sri Lanka that could feed 60,000 people for one month is also being planned for shipment.

“The long-standing friendship between the United States and the Philippines allows the U.S. to rapidly respond in times of crisis,” Goldbeck said.

“The United States government continues to monitor the effects of Typhoon Yolanda and remains in constant contact with Philippine authorities to ensure that our assistance is timely and relevant to the changing needs of the situation,” he said.

China’s Red Cross Society has also donated US$ 100,000 to support the relief efforts.

“We are following closely the relief work and ready to provide further support according to the assessment of the situation,” Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has extended condolences to his counterpart Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario on the serious devastation and casualties afflicted by the typhoon, Zhang said.

“We sincerely hope the people in the affected areas will be able to overcome this challenge, restore their life and rebuild their homes at an early date,” he said.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the massive destruction caused by super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). We wish to express our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the victims and the families that have suffered immense loses of lives and properties.”

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