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| GUARDIANs assisted their PATIENTS of cleft palate and lip being transported yesterday for their operation today known as OPERATION SMILE OF USNS Mercy. (CPPB Photos) |
The Pacific Partnership, an annual maritime operation, intends to build regional relationships and improve disaster response preparedness, according to a press release of the US Pacific Fleet Public Affairs.
More than 900 personnel, including volunteers from non-government organizations arrived on July 18 via USNS Mercy, a US navy hospital ship.
Pacific Partnership participants on USNS Mercy and on the ground include personnel from the United States, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and New Zealand.
Personnel of the USNS Mercy will provide more than 200 surgeries. Post-surgical care will be provided by local doctors.
The partnership also includes the repair of classroom buildings damaged by super typhoon “Yolanda” at Basiao Elementary School in Ivisan, Capiz, construction of a two-classroom school building in Roxas City School of Philippine Craftsmen in Brgy. Lanot here, and the construction of a health center in Barangay Talon here.
Barangay health workers training, veterinarian surgeries at the Roxas City Dog Pound and Cuartero and Dumarao towns, a nursing leadership symposium at Filamer Christian University, and a search and rescue demonstration at Culasi Port here will also be held during the four-week stay of the Pacific Partnership members.
There will also be a disaster preparedness capacity building for Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Councils of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras, Capiz governor Victor Tanco said.
A gender and development forum at Camp Peralta in Jamindan town and public health emergency well disinfection among “Yolanda” survivors in Barangay San Jose in Roxas City will also be held.
Capiz is one of the provinces ravaged by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in November 2013, which is why it was chosen as one of the stops of the Pacific Partnership, 1st Lieutenant Krystle Rose Abay, chief of the civil affairs branch of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army said.
The Pacific Partnership was a military response to aid victims of the 2004 tsunami which affected different parts of Southeast Asia.
Charlie Williams, commander of Task Force 73, said the four-week stay of the Pacific Partnership in Capiz is the longest for this year’s event.
The USNS Mercy will leave on Aug. 4 for Subic Bay, its next stop in its mission in the Philippines. (PN/RALPH JOHN MIJARES)
