US lends air, sea assets for relief operations in Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - The United States is lending its air and naval assets to the Philippines to help in the ongoing relief and rescue operations for the victims of Typhoon "Yolanda" (international name Haiyan).

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the US Pacific Command to support rescue and relief efforts in the Philippines, particularly in Visayas where several provinces were isolated due to the devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington announced Hagel's order in its Twitter account.

"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel instructs US Pacific Command to support humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines," the embassy said.

It added: "US committing air and naval assets to assist in maritime search and rescue and provide additional lift capability for Philippine Government."

US soldiers are already helping the local military in conducting damage assessment in Eastern Visayas.

Local authorities feared that the super typhoon's fatality in Visayas could reach up to 10,000.

In Tacloban City alone, more than 1,000 fatalities have already been confirmed.