More U.S. help on the way

WASHINGTON – The number of American troops helping the relief effort in the typhoon-hit Philippines could triple to more than 1,000 by the end of the week, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian nation is a U.S. treaty ally, and Washington is providing $20 million in immediate aid and ships and aircraft to help distribute supplies. President Barack Obama urged American citizens, too, to contribute, directing them to a White House website with links to groups providing aid.

The first airlift of hygiene kits and plastic sheeting from the U.S. Agency for International Development was distributed Wednesday to help 10,000 families. Another consignment is due to arrive in the capital Manila today.

The U.S. is using C-130 transport planes and Osprey helicopters to transport aid. The transport planes have evacuated about 800 victims of the disaster from Tacloban to Manila.

U.S. ships, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, are heading toward the area to expand search-and-rescue operations and provide medical care and a platform for helicopters to move supplies to remote areas.

Associated Press