The United States government is providing PHP84 million (USD1.5 million) to support the Philippines’ response to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) that wrought heavy destruction in several parts of the country last week.

The US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said the funding would augment the ongoing US Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance in the Bicol Region and Batangas province.

USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter and cash assistance.

The USAID will also provide logistical support in the management of evacuation centers.

In a statement posted on X, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller extended sympathies to the victims of the storm and assured Washington, D.C.’s continuing humanitarian support to the country.

“Our sincere condolences to the people of the Philippines for the loss of life and destruction caused by Tropical Storm Trami. We are providing immediate humanitarian aid for those affected through USAID,” he said.

On Oct. 27, USAID supported the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in dispatching 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 household relief kits to the Bicol region through a C-130 provided by the Singaporean government.

These disaster relief items were prepositioned in the OCD humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement site in Nueva Ecija.

The joint humanitarian prepositioning effort was launched in September by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

“My heart goes out to all those suffering the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine,” Carlson said. “We are working side by side with the Philippine government to bring relief to communities in need.”

The US had been working with humanitarian partners in the Philippines since Oct. 25 to deliver relief supplies prepositioned across the country.

With USAID funding, the World Food Programme also mobilized 33 trucks to support the Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 53,000 family food packs and other relief items to the Bicol Region. (PNA)