Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Durian Victims Get More US Relief

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner/ 06 Dec) - Some $130,000 worth of American relief donations are expected to arrive in Manila to help families affected by the typhoon Durian (Reming) which ravaged the Bicol region.

The Philippines' National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said more than 500 people were killed and some 700 are still missing and feared dead after the super typhoon swept through 13 provinces last week and wrought destruction.

More than 1.6 million were affected by Durian's fury. Weather experts said the typhoon had winds up to 133 kilometers per hour.

The U.S. Embassy said an emergency relief flight carrying supplies will arrive in Manila on Thursday.

It said U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Filipino Senator Richard Gordon, president of the Philippine National Red Cross, will meet the chartered flight at the airport to oversee the unloading of the supplies, it said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner on Wednesday.

"The relief flight carries supplies such as plastic sheeting for shelter, water containers, and family hygiene kits. The supplies were donated by the American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)," it said.

The U.S. earlier provided $250,000 in immediate cash assistance to relief organizations to purchase emergency commodities, such as blankets, plastic mats, mosquito nets and cooking utensils, to assist ongoing relief efforts in the region.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

a sigh of relief...Thank you.