Manila - The US government Thursday announced an additional 10 million dollars in food aid to victims of two devastating storms that struck the Philippines since September. US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said the new grant brought to about 30 million dollars the total assistance for nearly 10 million people affected by storm Ketsana and typhoon Parma.
"The additional assistance will help address the continuing needs of our friends in the Philippines," she said during a visit to a logistics hub of the World Food Programme in Baguio City, 210 kilometres north of Manila.
Kenney said the WFP's operation in Baguio City was important in addressing "accessibility concerns" in northern provinces that were affected by the cyclones.
"Many villages are still isolated by damaged bridges and severe landslides," she said.
Kestana struck on September 26, triggering the worst floods in 40 years in Manila and nearby areas. One week later, Parma pummelled northern provinces, causing more floods and deadly landslides. Nearly 1,000 people were killed due to the two cyclones.
Shortly after the disasters, the US provided about 14 million dollars in rescue and relief aid to the Philippines. On November 12, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced an additional assistance of 5.2 million dollars.
According to a World Bank assessment report, the two cyclones caused damages and losses worth more than 4 billion dollars.
The report added that the Philippines needed an estimated 4.42 billion dollars for recovery and reconstruction efforts from the devastation.
