The United States government is providing more than P450 million ($8 million) in additional funding to strengthen disaster preparedness and response in vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

The new funding will primarily enhance typhoon preparedness and develop resilient livelihood strategies in the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Eastern Visayas. It will be facilitated through the US Agency for International Development, or USAID.

Likewise, it will also fund partnerships with the private sector to help ensure the continuity of businesses and other critical services, such as energy and water, after disasters.

The USAID assistance will also go to training personnel of the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other relevant government agencies in setting up post-disaster logistics, emergency shelters and emergency telecommunications.

Additionally, USAID said it will also work with local government units in Eastern Samar and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to set up referral systems for children's welfare and protection during disasters.

"Strong typhoons came earlier than expected this year, and we're reminded of how vulnerable many Philippine communities are to the impacts of natural disasters," said USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn.

"We are proud of our partnership with the Philippine government to help the Filipino people prepare for and respond to disasters," he added.

Since 2010, USAID has provided approximately P17 billion ($372 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines.