A week after typhoon: help and hope in the Philippines
What does to ease the burden mean?
A week after Typhoon Haiyan hit, read this article from the USA TODAY about the situation in the Philippines.
As the U.S. military ramps up aid efforts in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III pledged Sunday to remain in the hard-hit Leyte province until he sees more of that aid reaching survivors.
Aquino is expected to set up camp in Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province, but it is not clear where he will stay. Nearly every building in the city was damaged or destroyed by the Nov. 8 Typhoon Haiyan, which killed 3,974 people, according to the latest official count released Sunday. More than 1,000 remain missing.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Tacloban, Aquino said that while there has been some progress in the aid effort, it is not enough.
“We really want to ease the burden of everybody as soon as possible. As long as I don’t see any more improvements, we’ll stay here,” Aquino said, referring to his official team.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy is increasing its presence to help open up affected areas, said a captain of the Amphibious Force U.S. Fleet. That includes two landing ship docks en route from Okinawa, Japan, he said Sunday in Manila.
What does it mean? Click and find out!
hard-hit (adj) seriously affected or hurt
to set up (v) to start something such as an organization; to build a structure, or to put it in a particular place
to ease (v) to make a problem, bad situation, or pain less severe
burden (n) a negative feeling that is difficult to deal with and that you cannot get rid of
to open up (v) to open a locked door, container, or building or a damaged area
amphibious (adj) relating to a military operation that brings soldiers to land in boats
dock (n) the area of water between two piers or alongside a pier that receives a ship for loading, unloading, or repairs
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