Durbin Hosts Briefing for Filipino Community in the Wake of Typhoon Haiyan
[CHICAGO] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing for members of Chicago's Filipino community on the U.S. relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Durbin was joined by Nancy Lindborg, USAID's Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance—who recently returned from the Philippines—and Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Consulate General of the Philippines.
“The United States has played a key role in the relief efforts as the Philippines recovers from the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan,” Durbin said. “The resulting humanitarian crisis has left many people in need and we will continue to provide assistance in the days and weeks ahead.
The United States has committed nearly $52 million in aid to the relief efforts. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Defense have been on the ground in the affected area, helping provide shelter, safe drinking water and food.
Senator Durbin met Thursday in Washington with the Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States, Jose Cuisia Jr., to discuss the relief efforts. Earlier this week, Durbin joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to request Temporary Protected Status for eligible Filipino nationals in the United States whose visas are set to expire. The U.S. has granted TPS for other nations following similar natural disasters. Last week, the Senate approved a resolution Durbin co-sponsored that expressed support for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the surrounding region.