Manila —The United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced an additional PHP182 million [US$3.5 million] to support ongoing humanitarian relief in Marawi. This brings the total US government contribution to the Marawi response to nearly PHP1.4 billion [US$26.4 million]. The new assistance will enable USAID to partner with the Philippine government and humanitarian organizations to build transitional shelters for 58,000 internally displaced persons. USAID will also coordinate with national and local government partners to expand protection services for women and children, help jumpstart the local economy through income-generating activities, and repair water and sanitation facilities. At a press conference, US ambassador Sung Y. Kim noted, “This is obviously very important work and we hope to do more in the coming years.” He added that this demonstrates “the deep ties and unbreakable bond between the United Sta
Online edition of The Ilocos Times, a community newspaper based in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.