VOA常速英语:More Aid For Typhoon Victims

The United States government and people are committed to continuing to help the people of the Philippines recover from the devastation caused by last month’s Typhoon Haiyan.

During a recent visit to the affected region, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry offered the condolences of the American people and announced that the U.S. will provide $25 million in additional humanitarian aid, increasing total U.S. assistance to more than $86 million:

“The new aid,” said Secretary Kerry, “Is calculated to help ensure that the residents and the relief workers have immediate access to clean water, to sanitation and to hygiene services and also to make sure that they get the food and the temporary shelter that are essential to be able to continue this work.”

Following the disaster, the U.S. military transported a total of 2,495 tons of relief supplies and evacuated over 21,000 people from the hardest hit areas.

U.S. humanitarian assistance is currently reaching 3 million people with food assistance, plastic sheeting for temporary shelters and hygiene kits. The U.S. is also supporting programs to reunify unaccompanied children with caregivers and community-level measures to prevent and combat child trafficking.

Secretary Kerry also announced new public-private partnerships between USAID, Proctor and Gamble and Coca-Cola that will help more than 2,000 small convenience stores repair, restock and rehabilitate their shops.

Secretary Kerry lauded the private corporations, non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups and diaspora communities that have provided leadership and generosity in the disaster. These include many American organizations and average American individuals.

Secretary Kerry called the resilience, courage and determination of the Philippine people inspiring. The United States, he said, is committed to doing “whatever we can”:

“In the coming days and weeks and months – however long it takes – the United States will remain committed. We will work closely with our friends in the Philippines to rebuild this region even better and stronger and safer.”