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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2006 > February 
Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 21, 2006


Philippines - Response to the Mudslide

U.S. Marines Sgt. Matthew Meodor lets a landslide evacuee taste his MRE ,Meals-Ready-to-Eat, ration during their humanitarian mission in Leyte province, Philippines February 21, 2006. [© AP/WWP] The United States is helping the people of the Philippines respond to the terrible mudslides that occurred last week. President Bush called President Arroyo on February 20 to offer our condolences and to pledge our continued support for rescue and relief efforts.

We are using both military and civilian assets to aid those affected by this natural disaster. Specifically, we have authorized the redeployment of some elements of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to assist in the rescue effort. The USS Essex, the USS Harpers Ferry and the USS Curtis Wilbur are now on station off the coast of Leyte, and 1,630 Marines and 16 helicopters from the Marine Expeditionary Unit are engaged in search and recovery operations for the landslide victims. The United States also has donated $100,000 to the Philippine Red Cross and has airlifted emergency supplies to the area.

We will continue to work closely with our friends in the Philippines to help those in need.

2006/209



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