US announces additional aid for Philippines relief

Secretary of State John Kerry announced Wednesday the United States will provide $25 million in additional aid to the Philippines. 

That brings the total U.S. aid package in response to Typhoon Haiyan to more than $86 million, the State Department said. 

{mosads}Kerry made the announcement after visiting areas destroyed by the storm and described what he saw as like visiting “a war zone.” 

“The wreckage that has been left behind by Typhoon Haiyan, or as it’s known here, Typhoon Yolanda, is absolutely staggering. No words can do justice to the level of destruction that you see,” Kerry said Wednesday.

Three million people will be helped by the emergency humanitarian aid, the State Department said. The funds will be used for more food aid, clean water, hygiene education and shelter materials.

Filipino officials estimate more than 6,000 people died as a result of the hurricane, and that nearly 28,000 were injured.