Typhoon Haiyan: British and US warships head for Philippines
HMS Daring and USS George Washington lead military push to help relief effort with drinking water and air support
The Philippine government raised the official death toll to 1,744 on Tuesday, but the figure is expected to climb drastically, with authorities estimating that the storm killed 10,000 or more across a vast region of the country, and displaced about 660,000 others.
David Cameron said HMS Daring, which carries equipment to make drinking water from seawater, would provide humanitarian assistance and flights from its onboard helicopter. At least one Boeing C-17 military transport aircraft would be allocated to move humanitarian aid to areas that are most in need and hardest to reach, the prime minister said.
"HMS Daring, currently deployed near Singapore, will shortly be heading at full speed towards the disaster zone with further support from an RAF C-17 which will be a powerful help to the relief operation," Cameron told a dinner attended by business leaders in London.
HMS Daring is expected to reach the area in five days and the C-17 within the next few days. About 200 military personnel will be involved.
Britain has swiftly ratcheted up its response to the devastating typhoon Haiyan, bringing its contribution since the disaster struck to £10m.
Britain's Department for International Development on Saturday pledged an initial £6m to help get food, shelter and clean water to people in need.
The United States is sending the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and other ships, US officials said on Monday.
The Pentagon said defence secretary Chuck Hagel had ordered the nuclear-power aircraft carrier and other ships "to make best speed for the Republic of the Philippines".
The George Washington is now in Hong Kong and was expected to arrive within 48 to 72 hours, along with other ships, including guided missile cruisers and destroyers. Crew were being recalled early from shore leave, the Pentagon said.
With some 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, the George Washington brings enormous capacity to relief efforts.
Read more on: theguardian
General asks for U.S. warships in typhoon relief
by Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
November 13, 2013
Washington (CNN) - The hundred of thousands of typhoon victims in the Philippines need help, and they need it now, the U.S. Marinde Corps general in charge of the U.S. militry relief effort says.
Marinde Corps Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy told CNN he needs immediate dispatch of U.S. Navy amphibious ships that carry equipment to produce potable water and the variety of helicopters, small oats, trucks and other supplies needed in the relief effort.
"They are the Swiss army knife of the U.S> military," Kennedy said of the amphibious ships, speaking to CNN in a telephone interview from the Philippines.
The Pentagon appeared to be heeding his call. Two U.S. Navy amphibious ships are now sailing from their home base in Sasebo, Japan to Okinawa, where they will pick up Marines and continue on to the Philippines, a U.S. military official said Tuesday evening.
Three warships that are home-ported in the Pacific are also under orders to prepare to deploy in the next 48 hours, a senior Pentagon official told CNN.
Pentagon press secretary George Little said the military is working hard to give Kennedy whatever he needs. He said 250 U.S. service members are now in the Philippines, and they have delivered 107,000 pounds of relief supplies.
Read more on CNN
General asks for U.S. warships in typhoon relief
by Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
November 13, 2013
Washington (CNN) - The hundred of thousands of typhoon victims in the Philippines need help, and they need it now, the U.S. Marinde Corps general in charge of the U.S. militry relief effort says.
Marinde Corps Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy told CNN he needs immediate dispatch of U.S. Navy amphibious ships that carry equipment to produce potable water and the variety of helicopters, small oats, trucks and other supplies needed in the relief effort.
"They are the Swiss army knife of the U.S> military," Kennedy said of the amphibious ships, speaking to CNN in a telephone interview from the Philippines.
The Pentagon appeared to be heeding his call. Two U.S. Navy amphibious ships are now sailing from their home base in Sasebo, Japan to Okinawa, where they will pick up Marines and continue on to the Philippines, a U.S. military official said Tuesday evening.
Three warships that are home-ported in the Pacific are also under orders to prepare to deploy in the next 48 hours, a senior Pentagon official told CNN.
Pentagon press secretary George Little said the military is working hard to give Kennedy whatever he needs. He said 250 U.S. service members are now in the Philippines, and they have delivered 107,000 pounds of relief supplies.
Read more on CNN
