For Filipinos, the world scrambles to deliver 'the basics'
Source: CNN
(CNN) -- The United States and Britain are bolstering their military assets to urgently help millions of hungry and homeless Filipinos -- socked, soaked and dazed more than a week after Super Typhoon Haiyan clobbered the midsection of the Philippines.
"Right now, the U.S. military capability is continuing to grow," U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy told CNN on Sunday. "We need to get life-sustaining aid immediately out to the stricken population. Food, water, shelter, medicine -- those are the basics."
Kennedy said numerous aircraft -- such a dozen C-130 cargo airplanes, more than a dozen MV-22 Ospreys and several dozen UH-60 helicopters -- are being deployed.
About 9,000 U.S. troops are supporting the operation in the Philippines, a U.S. military official said. U.S. military assets have delivered approximately 623,000 pounds of relief supplies.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/17/world/asia/philippines-typhoon-haiyan/
While more can and should be done, we should give credit where credit is due. The U.S. government and its people have stepped up to the plate in supporting Philippine efforts to recover from Typhoon Haiyan. In contrast, China is playing the role of bully by only offering a meager $100,000 in aid.
toby jo
(1,269 posts)LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)offered $100,000 in aid, was roundly criticized and increased the amount. Dont' know about Australia.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/world/asia/chinese-aid-to-philippines.html
Skittles
(153,169 posts)yes INDEED
Australia: A$30m ($28m, £17m) package, including aircraft, medical staff, shelter materials, water containers and hygiene kits
The Chinese government hinted early on that there might be more money in the pipeline. But even its new pledge of $1.6m is dwarfed by the contributions of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and others.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24938874