The US military is diverting a naval vessel taking part in war games in the Philippines to help the victims of a landslide that buried an entire village, the US embassy said. Embassy spokesman Matt Lussenhop said they were also studying requests by the Philippine Red Cross for the US military to send heavy-lift helicopters to help in the rescue and relief efforts.
US and Philippine forces have been taking part in joint military exercises in this country in recent days. A mountain collapsed after days of heavy rain, burying the village of Guinsaugon, including almost 500 houses, in the south of the Philippine island of Leyte. The head of the Philippine Red Cross said there were about 200 believed dead and 1,500 feared missing.
Lussenhop said a naval vessel would head to the coastal village "as quickly as possible." He did not identify the type of vessel or say how it would take part in the rescue effort.
Regarding the request for US helicopters, Lussenhop said the United States was working with Philippine civil defense officials on how to best use the US military assets. "We're discussing between our military forces and the (civil defense office) how best to address the needs on the ground," he said. He said 50,000 dollars in relief funds and medical supplies and body bags, already donated by the United States for earlier disasters, would be used to help rescuers.
Hat Tip: Camp Katrina who also notes; "If this story doesn't illustrate the U.S. military's dedication to humanitarian efforts wherever they are needed in the world, I don't know what does. "
UPDATE: A buddy of mine is in the Philippines on an SCUBA trip. If I know him he is probably trying to get to the scene to help out. Former military and a NREMT-P I know he could be very useful. If so, I hope he'll let us know whats going on.
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