U.S. Embassy Photo Release
March 16, 2007
U.S. Navy Donates Humanitarian Supplies for Families in Bicol to Red Cross;
Ambassador Kenney Oversees Turnover of Goods During Visit of USS Comstock
U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney turned over 12 pallets of goods on behalf of Project Handclasp and the U.S. Navy to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for communities affected by typhoons. The goods donated to families in Bicol include medical supplies, clothing, toys, hygiene kits, and sports equipment.
She visited the Legazpi City area today to view the humanitarian programs being conducted by U.S. Marines and Sailors in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to benefit families who are still homeless after Typhoons Reming and Milenyo in late 2006.
The USS Comstock arrived in the Bicol Region on March 12 with Okinawa, Japan-based U.S. Marines and San Diego-based Sailors to deliver nearly 10,000 pounds of donated goods such as clothes, toys, food, and medical supplies; provide free health clinics for citizens who are still homeless; and conduct engineering projects to repair, improve, and clean schools and evacuation centers.
“It’s been a tremendous week for U.S. Military members working with the AFP, the Red Cross, and other volunteers,” said Ambassador Kenney. “It’s a real team effort because we feel for the people of this area and we want to help them get back on their feet.”
Pictured above at the turnover ceremony are General Ricardo Padilla, Director of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council; U.S. Brigadier General Joseph Medina, U.S. Marines; Senator Richard Gordon, PNRC Chairman; USS Comstock Commanding Officer Burt Espe; Ambassador Kenney; AFP Lieutenant General Alexander Yano, Southern Luzon Command; Albay Province Vice Governor Jesus B. Calisin; and Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal. The USS Comstock can be seen in the background.
“It is acts like this that we share, when we carry the load,” said Senator Gordon. “I can’t forget that immediately after the disaster, many from the Armed Forces were here working side by side with volunteers from the Red Cross.”
Ambassador Kenney also dedicated the newly repaired Rawis Elementary School, which was repaired by personnel from the USS Comstock and AFP. The construction work includes repairing the roof, which was blown off by Typhoon Reming; installing new ceilings; adding walls, windows, and doors; and painting. Rawis Elementary School was built by U.S. and Philippine forces during the annual Balikatan bilateral military exercises in 1973.
Families staying at an evacuation center at Tawis Elementary School received free medical care during a day-long program created by the USS Comstock, the AFP, and local officials. Families received free care such as immunizations, general health checkups, and minor procedures. Ambassador Kenney and senior military officials toured the free clinic and evacuation center to meet local residents.
The humanitarian visit of the USS Comstock is part of Operation Goodwill, which was created in 2003 by U.S. Marines and Sailors and their families in Okinawa to show appreciation to the Philippine people for welcoming them during annual bilateral exercises. The U.S. Marines have returned each year since then with donations of toys and supplies from their families for Filipino children and communities over the holiday season.
The United States has been a long-standing partner of the Philippines in disaster relief and response to humanitarian crises. From the U.S. Marines' crisis assistance in Aurora and Quezon provinces after typhoons in 2004, and in southern Leyte after the landslide in February 2006, to emergency assistance following Typhoons Milenyo and Reming in late 2006, the American people have been ready and willing to help the Filipino people in their time of need.
“During my visit to Legazpi in January, I was heartened to see that the warm and optimistic spirit of local citizens remained strong," said Ambassador Kenney, who has visited the area three times. "The American people are hopeful that their friends in Bicol will soon fully recover from the typhoons and mudslides of 2006, and I’m proud that our U.S. Military servicemembers return so often to this region to partner with the AFP in assistance programs for Filipino families here."
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided $250,000 in immediate cash assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Reming, and the U.S. Government sent a relief flight with $130,000 of supplies such as plastic sheeting for shelter, water containers, and family hygiene kits. Hundreds more families received donations of clothing, nonperishable food, hygiene kits, and other items from U.S. Marines and their families in a January event.
Additionally, USAID partnered with the Philippine National Red Cross to create a nationwide emergency text alert messaging system to help communities prepare for and emerge from natural disasters.
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