Washington  - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed "deep condolences" for the loss of life caused by the storms which battered the Philippines over the past week.

"Michelle and I feel great sorrow over the hundreds of people who have died from the storms and resulting flooding and the hundreds of thousands more who have been displaced," Obama said in a statement released by the White House, expressing his and the first lady's condolences.

US civilian and military forces have supported Philippine rescue efforts, and Washington stood ready to continue its cooperation and assistance Obama said.

The US Agency for International Development set aside 1.8 million dollars for the relief effort, the statement added.

Typhoon Ketsana, which hit the Philippines last week, killed at least 295 people, with 39 still missing, and caused widespread flooding around the capital Manila. A few days later, storm Parma made landfall in the northern provinces. Twenty-two people have been reported dead so far. (dpa)