I felt a small earth quake a few minutes ago. CNN reported it was a 4.8 in the worst hit typhoon area's. They sure don't need that.....
America has despatched USS George Washington and it is now steaming towards the Philippines. This huge vessel is loaded with aid, and with its helicopter facility can get that aid to the most remote places. Once the aid has been unloaded, it can produce thousands of gallons of fresh drinking water per day, and can double as a hospital ship. From the UK, HMS Daring, a type 45 destroyer, has been scrambled, loaded with aid, and has now left Singapore en route to the disaster area. It can also de-salinate and produce fresh drinking water, and also has a full medical team on board. As I write, an R.A.F. C-17 Globemaster loaded with aid, is in the air on its' way here, along with a squadron of fully loaded Hercules (C130's to our American friends, and Fat Alberts to us). Because of the C-17's size and therefore the need for a mega runway, it will land in Cebu and chopper the relief to the areas where it is needed.
Announced about an hour ago from 10 Downing Street. HMS Illustrious has been diverted from the Gulf, loaded with aid and is steaming towards the Philippines. She is an aircraft carrier, although her role now is a commando carrier with a large contingent of helicopters. "Lusty" to her crew, she can manufacture thousands of gallons of fresh water an hour, and they are prepared for round the clock flying ops. There is a large contingent of Royal Marines on board. Sod all supplies will get looted from them .
My wife is from Ormoc City Leyte also badly damaged. Reports from her family indicate there had been NO relief assistance until yesterday when they received 1 kilo of rice. Thankfully the US military dug a deep well in WW2 and there was access to some fresh water.
