Albay will host the joint humanitarian program "Pacific Partnership" involving some 1,000 troops from the US Pacific Fleet and Australian Navy and the world's largest hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, from June 27 to July 11.
First held in 2004 after the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which caused catastrophic damages to Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives, Pacific Partnership is an annual event between the Pacific Fleet and regional government and military forces, along with humanitarian and non-government organizations.
The event, which aims to build interoperability during disasters and strengthen security ties, is held this year under the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
The foreign troops will be joined by the Philippine Naval Forces in South Luzon and will be received by Albay Governor Joey Salceda.
According to Salceda, the Pacific Partnership provides an opportunity to enhance goodwill and cooperation among the region's military forces and governments, needed during disaster relief operations. In addition, the activity delivers humanitarian and engineering assistance to local stakeholders, Salceda added.
This event also opens opportunity to Albay to showcase its eco-tourism wealth. A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Albay is a UN global model for Climate Change Adaption and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and also a pioneer in novel strategies for disaster resiliency.
The USNS Mercy, which visited Roxas city in 2013 after super typhoon Yolanda, is slated to treat some 4,000 local patients onboard and in designated areas around the province.
Pacific Partnership is also scheduled to improve school rooms, water deposits and handwashing stations. The troops and local resource persons will conduct seminars on DRR, sanitation, environment protection and sports events.
*Photos from Pacific Partnership Facebook page
Source: InterAksyon
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