USAID gives additional P400M for 'Odette'-hit areas
MANILA, Philippines — The United States is providing another P400 million, or roughly $8 million, to help the Philippines assist the recovery of communities affected by typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) last year through the United States Agency for International Development.
The additional funds will be used by USAID partners for emergency maternal and child healthcare services, finance the repair of healthcare centers in the area, support livelihood recovery programs, and fund the construction of houses in “safe locations.”
"The United States is pleased to provide this additional assistance to meet the recovery needs of individuals and families in the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Odette," USAID Assistant to the Administrator Sarah Charles said in a statement.
"We will continue to work with our partners in the Philippines and across the region to help communities prepare for such disasters and build greater resilience," she added.
The typhoon hit the country late last year, ravaging the southern and central regions of the Philippines.
The United Nations previously said the level of destruction was “badly underestimated” in initial assessments. Odette left over 1.5 million houses damaged and nine million people were "seriously affected."
READ: UN says Odette destruction 'badly underestimated'
The latest round of monetary assistance brings USAID’s total donations to help the Philippines assist those affected to P1.4 billion or around $29.2 million.
USAID, along with its partners Action Against Hunger, Catholic Relief Services, World Food Programme, and the International Organization for Migration, have provided typhoon victims assistance through food packs, emergency cash, water and hygiene equipment, among others.
They have also helped more than 8,000 families rebuild their houses since December last year.
Since 2010, the US said that it has assisted the Philippines in disaster relief and recover aid worth over P17 billion or $351 million through USAID. Washington also says it helped boost the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 Philippine cities and municipalities.
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