Manila, Oct 11 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Then Typhoon Parma struck Philippines on Oct. 3 and lingered as a tropical depression for about a week, bringing destruction in its wake to the whole region. There have been heavy rains, which in turn triggered floods and landslides that have killed at least 276 people. It has also displaced about 170,000 people.

Relief is pouring in from all the concerned countries. American military helicopters started ferrying tons of aid on Sunday to a northern Philippine hilly region, which is looking at a shortage of food, gasoline and coffins after back-to-back typhoons that killed more than 600 in that region.

Marine Capt. Jorge Escatell, a U.S. military spokesman said that, “The U.S. military was responding to a request from the Philippines to help deal with the nationwide aftermath of two major storms since Sept. 26. Tropical Depression Parma blew out of the country’s mountainous north late Saturday, allowing U.S. troops to start airlifting food aid to Baguio.

Philippine officials asked U.S. troops, which were in the country for an annual war exercise, to help with relief operations. About 700 Marines and sailors were on hand to help out”

Besides big countries, indivuals who are concerned about Philippines are also lending a helping hand, like the boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao who took a break from a training camp last weekend to contribute his efforts in the relief aid. He distributed food and supplies to hundreds of people who have been affected by the country’s worst flooding in 40 years.

Promoter Bob Arum said Friday that the back-to-back storms, which have triggered dozens of landslides and killed nearly 500 people, for the most part didn’t affect the pound-for-pound king as he trains in Baguio for his highly anticipated fight next month against Miguel Cotto.

“I talked to them last night, and the typhoon is still hanging around, so he couldn’t run outside,” Arum told The Associated Press. “But he’s getting good sparring in.”