US gives $50,000 more in Ondoy aid

MANILA, Philippines--In the wake of the devastation caused in the Philippines by Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana), US Ambassador Kristie Kenney authorized on Monday an additional $50,000 in immediate disaster relief assistance through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

This brings the total in immediate relief donation assistance to $100,000, said Rebecca Thompson of the public affairs office of the US embassy in Manila.

In coordination with the Philippine government, the assistance is being delivered to the National Red Cross by USAID.

“Damage caused by this storm is heartbreaking,” said the Ambassador in her September 26 call to Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross.

“We are working with Philippine authorities to determine what additional assistance we can provide,” she added.

In addition to the donation to the Red Cross, US Navy personnel are assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines with search and rescue efforts in Cainta and Pasig.

US Navy SEAL Teams and medical personnel assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines were able to rescue a pregnant woman. The teams delivered medical supplies, food, and aided in the recovery of more than 52 people in need of assistance in Cainta, Metro Manila.

Two boats assisted more than 52 people, including one woman in labor, elderly residents, and children.