MANDALUYONG CITY -- Philippine Red Cross(PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon mobilized its staff and volunteers nationwide to provide immediate assistance to individuals affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

Typhoon Odette made its first landfall at Surigao del Norte and made its third and fourth landfalls in the province of Southern Leyte on Thursday afternoon, December 16, 2021.

The typhoon caused power supply outage, water supply disruption and communication disruption which forced thousands of families to be evacuated across the Visayas regions as it rampaged through the central part of the Philippines after wreaking havoc in Mindanao on Thursday evening, December 16.

Sen. Dick Gordon instructed the local chapters to prepare the payloaders to clear unpassable roads due to fallen trees and debris. Relief items such as sleeping kits, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, jerry cans, and shelter tool kits were also prepared to aid the most vulnerable.

“Tayo ay mag-ingat dahil napakalakas ng bagyo. simula noong lunes ay naghahanda na tayo sa paparating na bagyo. kasama ang local chapters, ay patuloy kaming tutulong to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the people. tayo din dapat ay mag-ingat dahil sa kasagsagan ng bagyo, ay nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya,” Gordon said.

Chairman Gordon also reiterated the importance of practicing safety protocols in the evacuation areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

PRC continues to provide ready-to-eat meals to affected individuals in the evacuation centers. To date, PRC provided 12,952 hot meals and targets to feed more affected individuals.

PRC has a total of 28 food trucks nationwide, ready to be deployed in situations like disaster, calamities, and conflict. PRC Chairman Gordon also plans to procure additional food trucks to hasten relief operations. (Philippine Red Cross)