U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) is set to come home Wednesday from the Philippines, where he has been meeting with victims of the devastating typhoon since Saturday.

Smith, who serves Hamilton and Robbinsville, traveled to the region impacted by Super Typhoon Haiyan, according to a release on Tuesday.

“Its mind numbing and heart numbing,” Smith said, “I’ve been to many places around the world when there have been catastrophic typhoons hurricanes, earthquakes and even more. It is powerful to witness the Filipino people’s resiliency in the face of devastation, in the face the loss of life.”

The former U.S. territory suffered a direct hit on Nov. 8 by what officials say is one of the strongest storms in history. More than 4,000 people were killed and an estimated 4.4 million people have been displaced. The food supply has been hit hard with the typhoon damaging over 375,000 acres of local agriculture, including staples like rice, corn, and other vegetables. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that one million farmers and fishermen have lost their livelihoods, no longer able to contribute to the food supply, according to the release.

The congressman joined Reps. Al Green (D-TX-09) and Trent Franks (R-AZ-08), and upon arrival the three met with Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Smith expressed to him that the U.S would continue working with his government to bring life-saving supplies, the release said. The American and Filipino peoples have had an enormous bond for “well over a century,” Smith said.

The delegates assisted in handing out clean water kits and other basic supplies to help mitigate the spread of water borne diseases.

“It’s all about generosity,” Smith said, “We saw with Superstorm Sandy in my own state the devastation and the U.S. government had our back because we needed it. Friends here in the Philippines, they have to know that we have their backs.”

At one point, the aircraft Smith was traveling in was diverted en route to pick up two survivors of a helicopter crash into Manila Bay. The crew located the two passengers of the helicopter floating on the water and dropped flotation devices for them.

As he was preparing to embark on the trip, Smith said there is value to boots-on-the-ground contact at disaster sites.

“You listen to the victims and talk directly to the people who are leading the humanitarian response efforts so you can see where there is an unmet need and how federal resources can help,” the congressman said.

According to the release, a significant part of the trip was planned to spend time at emergency humanitarian staging areas of Catholic Relief Services, World Vision and other relief agencies that work out the logistics of delivering food, clothing and other essentials to those who need it the most.

http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20131126/congressman-chris-smith-takes-trip-to-devastated-philippines