The United States is providing $1 million in immediate aid to help the Philippines’ recover from Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, which cut a deadly path through provinces already battered by recent storms and a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30.
Washington said it is sending “emergency shelter, logistics services, and safe water and sanitation” to areas hardest hit by the storm.
“The United States and the Philippines are not only ironclad allies—we are friends and partners bound by a shared history, common values, and a steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Department of State said in a statement Friday. “To this end, the United States will provide $1 million in immediate life-saving assistance.”
Kalmaegi, one of the world’s deadliest cyclones this year, made landfall eight times, bringing torrential rain, destructive winds and widespread flooding across central and southern provinces before exiting the Philippines area of responsibility on Thursday.
The Office of Civil Defense said the death toll had reached 204 as of Friday and was expected to rise, with 109 people still missing. More than half a million residents were displaced and evacuated to shelters
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national state of emergency on Thursday as the country braced for another potentially powerful storm, Typhoon Fung-Wong– locally known as Uwan – forecast to hit Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
The State Department said U.S. disaster assistance would remain closely coordinated with the Philippines government and local partners “to ensure timely and effective relief for those most in need.”
“As millions of Filipinos face the challenges left by these disasters, including the loss of family and loved ones, our rapid response stands as a testament to the depth and resilience of our enduring ties, especially in times of crisis,” it added.
“To this end, the United States will provide $1 million in immediate life-saving assistance,” it added.
Meanwhile, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed Tokyo’s readiness to assist in recovery efforts, extending condolences to the victims and to the families of the six Philippine Air Force personnel who died in a helicopter crash while conducting disaster relief operations in Mindanao.
“Japan is ready to provide any support and cooperation the Philippines may need in these situations. Japan always stands with the Philippines—an important neighbor—in overcoming these difficult times,” Koizumi added.
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