US allocates add’l $6 million in aid for Marawi rehab

The United States has allocated an additional $6 million to support the rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi City, Ambassador Sung Kim announced on GMA News' News To Go on Tuesday.

"I am happy to announce today that we are allocating $6 million to help the most vulnerable population in Marawi. We're talking about young children [and the] elderly," Kim said.

The amount will be on top of the $20 million earlier pledged by the US government for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, which was occupied by ISIS-inspired Maute group in May last year, triggering an armed conflict that lasted for five months.

"We're coming up with some programs that are really focused on their needs, such as vocational training, and other educational-related programs," Kim said.

In a statement, the US Embassy said the aid — allocated through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) — "will provide opportunities for young women and men to enhance job skills and attain livelihoods."

The US government has been a key partner with the Philippine government in the recovery, stabilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and the surrounding areas. 

USAID’s early assistance involved restoring access to water and distributing desks for schools where displaced students are enrolled.

"USAID continues to have a very big presence here in the Philippines. They have been engaged in a series of very important assistance programs in the Philippines for decades now," Kim said on News To Go. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News