VOA标准英语2008年-US to Send Disaster Aid to Philippines After De

U.S. President George Bush says the United States will do it all it can to help the victims of the typhoon that struck the Philippines over the weekend. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports following talks at the White House with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo¹, Mr. Bush announced plans to send a U.S. aircraft carrier to the scene.
　
President Bush, right, shakes hands with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the White House, 24 Jun 2008

President Bush says the USS Ronald Reagan and other naval² assets are moving into place.

"We are happy to do it. We want to help our friends in the time of need," the president said.

With President Arroyo at his side, Mr. Bush also expressed America's condolences to the victims of the storm and their families.

"I know there are some families that are hurting," he said. "Some are wondering whether or not their loved ones will reappear. The American people care about the human suffering that is taking place and we send our prayers."

The typhoon left dozens dead in flooded towns in the central Philippines. But the largest single group of fatalities³ occurred when a ferry carrying more than 800 people capsized Saturday at the height of the storm. Only about 40 people are believed to have survived, and rescue teams now say they are finding only bodies amidst the wreckage⁴.

In addition to recovery efforts, Presidents Bush and Arroyo also discussed U.S. food aid to the Philippines, regional issues such as Burma, combating terrorism, and the status of international trade talks.

　

 

1 arroyo   

n.干涸的河床，小河

参考例句：

• She continued along the path until she came to the arroyo.她沿着小路一直走到小河边。
• They had a picnic by the arroyo.他们在干枯的河床边野餐过。

2 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

3 fatalities   

n.恶性事故( fatality的名词复数 )；死亡；致命性；命运

参考例句：

• Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities. 有几个人受伤，但没有人死亡。
• The accident resulted in fatalities. 那宗意外道致多人死亡。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 wreckage   

n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏

参考例句：

• They hauled him clear of the wreckage.他们把他从形骸中拖出来。
• New states were born out of the wreckage of old colonial empires.新生国家从老殖民帝国的废墟中诞生。