KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development welcomed Wednesday Washington’s additional 100 million worth of assistance to support the needs of people affected  by last year’s armed conflict in Marawi City.

Jackia Lao, DSWD 12 assistant regional director for administration, made the pronouncement after the United States,   through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), formally turned over worth USD 2 million or about PHP100 million to boost food security in Marawi City.

Dir. Lao said DSWD OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco formally received the  assistance from U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim in Manila along with Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, Spokesperson of Task Force Bangon Marawi; and Mr. Stephen Gluning, Country Director of the World Food Programme.

The assistance, according to Dir. Lao, around 1.89 million kilograms of rice channelled to the United Nations’ World Food Programme, will cover the food of 45,000 people in Marawi for four months.

Ambassador Kim said the U.S. government has been a key partner with the Philippine government in the recovery, stabilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and surrounding areas.

According to him, USAID continues to work closely with the Philippine government and development partners to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance and promote long-term stability in Marawi.

“The U.S. government continues to stand by the Filipino people as a friend, partner, and ally to support those affected by the Marawi conflict as they rebuild their lives.” Ambassador Kim said.

The assistance, which will help ensure an adequate food supply for families affected by the Marawi conflict, brings the total U.S. government contribution to the Marawi humanitarian response to nearly Php1.2 billion ($22.9 million). (JBM/DSWD)