US sending $10 million to Thailand for flood relief

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday announced a $10 million flood relief aid package for Thailand, the Associated Press reported. 

The news came as Clinton met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok.

"During the past century we have stood by each other in times of challenge and we are proud to stand by you now in this time of challenge, as you contend with the worst floods in your nation’s history,” Clinton said in a news conference with Shinawatra.

Twenty of Thailand’s 77 provinces have had to deal with flooding since July, some of the worst flooding in the country's recent history. 

"The United States will provide coordinated support to our Thai civilian and military partners in efforts to re-open Don Muang Airport – a dual domestic and military hub – to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance," the US State Department said in a statement. "We will increase local civilian emergency response and disaster preparation capacity by providing funding for water pumps for flood recovery, training and equipping first responders, supporting health recovery efforts, and expanding flood early warning systems. We will train police and other first responders in disaster response and provide equipment like generators, survival kits, and life vests."

The aid announced Wednesday comes in addition to some pledged in October. In addition to humanitarian assistance and emergency response help, the State Department said it would work with the Thai government to restore damaged cultural sites, including the country's ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Voice of America reported that hundreds have been killed, and tens of thousands displaced, by the flooding in Thailand.