MANILA, Philippines — The United States government has pledged to provide $100,000 (around Php 4.3 million) to support disaster relief efforts in Metro Manila following severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon this week.
 
According to US Ambassador to Manila Harry K. Thomas Jr., the US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will conduct an initial damage assessment in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to determine the extent of damage caused by flooding and determine immediate needs within the affected communities.
 
"On behalf of the US government and the American people, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who are displaced and who have lost homes and livelihoods due to the floods,” said Thomas as he noted that the US has been a key partner of the Philippines in providing immediate humanitarian response during natural calamities.
 
“As a good friend and longstanding development partner, the United States will work with the Philippine government to determine where our assistance is most needed," the US diplomat vowed. "We remain committed to helping the Philippine people overcome this difficult time.”
 
Thomas said the US government, through USAID, has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years.
 
In the Philippines, he said USAID works in partnership with the national government in creating a more stable, prosperous and well-governed country through programs that promote broad-based and inclusive economic growth, increase peace and stability in Mindanao, and reduce risks from natural disasters.
 
Meanwhile, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires Lubomir Frebort said that a local humanitarian aid expert is working on the ground to assess the damage caused by the heavy rains and to determine possible assistance for the affected population in line with the European Union policy of providing humanitarian aid to the victims of both natural and man-made disasters worldwide.
 
At the same time, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Frebort expresses EU's condolences to the families affected by nonstop monsoon rains which recently hit Metro Manila and nearby regions in the country.
 
"The Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines extends its deep sympathy to more than 800,000 people affected by the heavy downpour in three regions," he said.