Manila: The United States and South Korea on Saturday announced a combined USD2.5 million (approximately PHP145 million) in humanitarian aid to support the Philippines’ recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Typhoons Tino (Kalmaegi) and Uwan (Fung-wong).

According to Philippines News Agency, the US Embassy in Manila revealed that Washington will contribute an additional USD1.5 million to bolster the Philippine government-led operations in the disaster-hit regions. This new pledge brings the total US assistance to the country to USD2.5 million. The aid package is intended to enhance logistics, provide emergency shelter, supply water and sanitation resources, and assist in the management of evacuation centers.

The statement from the US Embassy emphasized the longstanding ties between the United States and the Philippines, particularly during emergencies, stating that their swift response underscores their commitment to support the Filipino people amid overlapping crises, including the Cebu earthquake in September. The US military has also been involved, deploying assets to help transport emergency relief items at the request of the Philippine government.

In a separate announcement, the Korean Embassy in Manila stated that its USD1 million donation will be directed through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to facilitate the quick recovery of affected individuals. The embassy expressed solidarity with the Filipino people, conveying their thoughts to families and communities recovering from the widespread destruction. The Korean Embassy hopes their assistance will expedite relief operations and help restore affected communities to normalcy. Korea reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the Philippines during this challenging period.