Clinton announces $5.2M in aid to flood victims

from INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After visiting a school in Marikina that was damaged by the floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana), United States State Secretary Hillary Clinton on Thursday announced an additional $5.2 million (about P245 million) in disaster relief and recovery assistance to the Philippines.

This foreign aid is in addition to the more than $14 million in rescue and relief aid already provided by the US government after the three storms that hit the country between September and October.

Clinton, who visited the Malanday High School in Marikina after her bilateral meeting with foreign affairs officials and her briefing with the press, said the new monies will go to education, water and sanitation, health, and disaster preparedness needs.

The former first lady is on a 24-hour visit to the Philippines in what is dubbed as a solidarity trip in the wake of storms Ondoy, Pepeng (international code name: Parma), and Santi (international code name: Mirinae), which altogether affected over 10 million people and claimed almost a thousand lives.

According to a briefer from the US embassy, Clinton opened a book fair made possible by the American Brother’s Brother Foundation, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),which donated 50,000 reading books to Malanday High School and Elementary School teachers. Aside from books, the teachers were able to pick other items donated by the USAID, such as desks and ceiling fans.

The Malanday High School, Elementary School and Health Clinic are part of the US embassy’s Community Partnership Program. Last weekend over 100 US embassy employees and family members worked side by side with Malanday community members to repair the schools and Health Clinic. The Community Partnership Program is a long-term initiative of the U.S. Embassy to participate in the local community as neighbors who work together to improve the health and vitality of Metro Manila.


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To madam United States State Secretary Hillary Clinton, and to everyone who offered their help, thank you so much.  May God bless you all...