US commitment to help PHL in 'Yolanda' tragedy remains

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21): US commitment to help PHL in 'Yolanda' tragedy remains

US acting deputy chief of mission Tina Malone on Thursday said the American commitment to help the Philippines get over the humanitarian crisis brought by super typhoon "Yolanda" remains.

"With on its own, our friendship has been long term, our commitment remains long term and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of the Philippines," Malone stressed.

She added that the US role in the crisis was to help the Philippines address the logistical constraints (brought about by "Yolanda") especially when it comes to forwarding relief goods.

"Our Defense Department has played an invaluable role in providing short term airlift capability and the humanitarian communities capacity to deliver aid to the hardest hit areas in increasing (quantities)," Malone pointed out.

"Our Pacific Command has proven critical to helping overcome the obstacles to delivering aid that were initially encountered in their response effort. To date, the United States has provided more than US$ 47 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by Typhoon 'Yolanda'," she concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=589415