U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Palau -- The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), airlifted plastic sheeting for shelter needs, kitchen sets, and other relief supplies — to save lives and meet the urgent needs of the Palau people in response to Typhoon Surigae.

Arriving in Palau from USAID’s warehouse in Miami, these airlifted supplies will support emergency response efforts for more than 3,000 people, with more on the way.

This shipment of relief supplies totals approximately $56,000 and comes at a critical moment as some communities remain without access to electricity, safe drinking water, and sanitation services.

Relief supplies will be provided to partner International Organization for Migration (IOM), for immediate distribution in coordination with Palau’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO).

Along with this flight, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is announcing $100,000 in additional assistance to support storm-affected families’ rapid recovery. This new funding builds on USAID’s initial support of $100,000 in life-saving aid provided in the initial days after the storm.

This assistance will be provided to the Palau Red Cross Society (PRCS), through USAID partner the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to support on-the-ground relief efforts including through provision of cash assistance to those most in need. Through USAID, total U.S. assistance provided to the people of Palau in response to Typhoon Surigae is more than $250,000.