ShareThisWASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has ordered the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and other U.S. Navy ships to immediately go to the Philippines to aid disaster relief efforts there, the Pentagon said.
At least a dozen U.S. and Philippines military cargo planes arrived in Tacloban on Monday, with the Philippine air force saying it had flown in about 66 tons of relief supplies since Saturday.
An initial contingent of U.S. forces were already on the ground, with most operating out of Villamor Air Base in Manila, and a smaller group in Tacloban.
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement that the aircraft carrier, which carries 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, is currently in Hong Kong for a port visit. The crew is being recalled early from shore leave and the ship is expected to be underway later Monday evening.
In company with the carrier will be the cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens, and the destroyer USS Mustin. The supply ship USNS Charles Drew is already underway and will rendezvous with the group as they get closer. USS Lassen got underway Sunday for the region.
Embarked on board USS George Washington is Carrier Air Wing Five, which has a collection of aircraft designed to perform various functions including disaster relief and includes Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.
The Pentagon said these ships and aircraft will be able to provide humanitarian assistance, supplies, and medical care in support of the ongoing efforts led by the government and military of the Philippines. The ships should be on station within 48-72 hours.
Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on Friday and Saturday. An estimated 10,000 people in central Philippine province of Leyte might have been killed.
Meanwhile, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it is extending $20 million worth of assistance to the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda”.
USAID administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, in a statement, said much help is need and noted millions of people were affected by “Yolanda”, including thousands who lost lives, homes, or livelihood.
Aid includes emergency food aid and critical relief supplies like shelter materials and hygiene kits for disaster-affected areas.
“The American people have a proud and generous history of providing help in times of crisis. In the days and weeks ahead, we will work tirelessly with our partners across the Philippines and around the world to reach those in need and support their recovery,” he added.
Shah said these supplies will “not only provide life-saving care in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but will also help prevent illness and death from waterborne and communicable diseases.”
He added that a shipment is already on its way with enough plastic sheeting, soap, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and sanitary supplies to help 10,000 families.
Similar shipments will follow soon.
Shah also said the USAID is sending 55 metric tons of food, including highly nutritious bars and paste containing a day’s worth of calories.
These can nourish some 20,000 children and 15,000 adults for four to five days.
Also, Shah said the USAID has prepositioned a disaster assistance response team in the region, which arrived in Leyte ahead of other international government assessment teams.
Leyte and Samar provinces are the areas hit hardest by “Yolanda”.