Yolanda relief operations moving to remote areas – US officials By MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB,GMA NewsNovember 15, 2013 5:31pm Tags: Leyte , Tacloban City , Yolanda aid A week after super typhoon Yolanda struck the Central Philippines, US Embassy and military officials said relief operations are moving out to more remote areas. US Embassy Charge d Affaires Brian Goldbeck told reporters at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City Friday that relief and rescue operations have very much improved. The good news is its moving out of Tacloban to these small areas ... (to) a couple of dozen outlying far-distanced areas that may not have gotten assistance, Goldbeck said. Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province, has been the main hub for relief efforts in the Eastern Visayas. At least 4,000 have been reported dead in Tacloban City after a surge of seawater flattened the coastal city in the San Juanico Strait. Colonel John Peck of the US Third Marine Expeditionary Brigade said relief operations will extend to far-flung areas along the coast of Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Samar, and Leyte. Right now, were working with our partners at the Philippine armed forces to build our logistic heads at Tacloban and Guian, he said. Philippine defense and foreign affairs officials were present at the interview, but were noticeably silent. They limited comments to statements of gratitude, leaving US officials to answer questions. On the part of the Department of National Defense, we want to express our great appreciation to the very valuable assistance and support coming from the US government, Defense undersecretary Pio Batino said. Foreign Affairs undersecretary for American affairs Carlos Sorreta meanwhile said the long history of cooperation between the Philippines and the US has helped the two governments work together very seamlessly in relief efforts. As of Wednesday, aid given by at least 31 countries and five international organizations had reached P3.8 billion. We will continue to bring the necessary relief to the people. We will tap every resource and every alliance, Sorreta said. Meanwhile, US Agency for International Development (USAid) mission director Gloria Steele said they are still assessing whether to ask for additional funds on top of the $20 million worth of assistance already donated by US. Our commitment is to continue to provide support as far as support is needed, she said. The US has deployed ten C-130 cargo aircraft and eight tiltrotor MV-22 Ospreys to assist in the relief operations, Goldbeck said. Meanwhile, the US Marine Expeditionary Brigade has sent 400 Marines to support relief operations, Goldbeck said. The US and Philippine governments have already flown 186 sorties to move 174,000 kilos of relief goods. — JDS, GMA News christ
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 20:46:04 +0000