MANDALUYONG -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) ramped up its relief distribution, alongside its rescue operations, to assist flood-hit families in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Floods caused by shear line-driven heavy rains on Christmas weekend have displaced hundreds of families and affected the provision of basic services including water, food, and health in the communities.
"Tuloy-tuloy ang pamamahagi natin ng tulong sa mga kababayan nating biktima ng baha sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao. Nagpadala tayo ng hot meals at malinis na supply ng tubig dahil ang mga ito ang pangunahing pangangailangan sa mga evacuation centers. Naka-alalay rin ang ating 143 volunteers, first aiders at Emergency Response Unit (ERU) para saklolohan ang mga nangangailangan ng agarang tulong," PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.
As of 17 January, the PRC has served hot meals to 16, 722 affected individuals in Agusan Del Norte, Davao De Oro, Misamis Oriental-Gingoog City, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga City, Palawan, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Misamis Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Lapu-Lapu Cordova, and Sulu.
The PRC WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Unit immediately mobilized its water tankers and water bladders to distribute 300,000 liters of clean water to Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City. The WASH Unit also conducted hygiene promotion to 2, 990 affected individuals in Agusan Del Norte, Palawan, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental to guarantee the practice of proper hygiene among evacuees.
Meanwhile, 1, 087 affected children in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Palawan were able to participate in creative activities provided by PRC Welfare Unit’s Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS). While 1, 914 adults in Zamboanga City, Lanao Del Norte, Agusan Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Palawan underwent Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions.
PRC Health Services distributed medicines and distributed 490 pieces of Doxycycline, a prophylactic agent used for the treatment of leptospirosis, to front liners and flooded barangays in Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga City.
The PRC has also mobilized its RC143 volunteers, prepared its rescue equipment, and provided the following additional humanitarian aid to the affected communities: hygiene kits to 361 families; sleeping kits to 472 families; non-standard food ration and bread to 238 families; jerry cans to 337 families; kitchen sets to 306 families; and first aid services to 134 individuals. (Philippine Red Cross)
