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Sunday, December 19, 2004
US military wraps up storm relief work
MANILA -- The US military on Saturday wrapped up its emergency relief operations in the Philippines following recent storms and typhoons that left more than 1,000 people dead and at least 550 missing.
More than 900 Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force personnel backed by 13 helicopters and C-130 cargo planes were deployed to the country's northeast, US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said at a ceremony to send off the Joint Task Force.
The disaster operation cost the US military some US$7 million (euro5.3 million), the US Embassy said in a statement.
In addition it also donated more than US$1 million (euro750,000) in relief goods, including tents, generators, medical supplies and water containers.
The US government also donated more than US$500,000 (euro375,000) through the Philippine Red Cross and non-government organizations, Ricciardone said.
President Arroyo thanked the US Joint Task Force.
"I commend you as I commend the soldiers of our own armed forces who crossed the perilous plains and mountains on foot, wading in strong currents to save the people from hunger and death," Arroyo said.
Ricciardone said future US assistance will go to rehabilitation work to improve the governance and management of the Philippines' forest and coastal resources.
"You simply must succeed in your programs, before you irretrievably lose your forest and fisheries to greed, ignorance, criminality and the pressures of an ever-expanding population," he said.
Officials blamed unabated logging for the massive floods and landslides that devastated the northeast in the wake of four successive typhoons and tropical storms from in November and early this month.
The Office of Civil Defense said 1,062 people died and 552 are still missing after the storms and typhoons destroyed or damaged more than 188,000 houses and caused 5.73 billion pesos (US$102 million; euro77 million) in damage in 35 provinces. (AP)
(December 19, 2004 issue)
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