MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) supports the most vulnerable affected by COVID-19 through multipurpose cash grants that aim to help families with their daily needs.

Since the pandemic started in mid-March of 2020, many people were affected by the lockdown. The pandemic resulted in people losing their jobs due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) where movements were limited.

PRC through the leadership of Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), American Red Cross, and Netherlands Red Cross, provided cash grants to cities greatly affected by the pandemic.

The most vulnerable families in each area received P3,500 each to support their daily needs. PRC conducted an assessment on who will be the beneficiaries of the cash grants. Most of them were persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and single-parent households.

“Hindi natin hahayaan na may magutom at hindi matulungan ngayong pandemya. Gumawa tayo ng paraan kasama ang ating mga partner societies upang makatulong sa nangangailangan,” Gordon said.

PRC distributed the multipurpose cash grants in different areas of NCR, Olongapo, Bulacan, Rizal, Western Samar, Leyte, and Cebu. The entire duration of the COVID-19 cash grants amounting to P82,000,000 gave 23,000 families hope and uplift their dignity.

“Hindi tayo titigil mag-abot ng tulong at magbigay pag asa sa mga labis na naapektuhan. Sama sama natin harapin at pagtagumpayan ang COVID-19. More help is on the way,” Gordon said. (Philippine Red Cross)