MANDALUYONG CITY -- During a zoom meeting with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent along with national societies throughout the world, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon gave an exhaustive overview of the situation in the Philippines due to Super Typhoon Odette (International Name Rai). With 35 provinces hit, the killer typhoon run a wide swath over the Visayan and Mindanao regions of the Philippines affecting 35,411,090 people. Provinces include Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, negros Oriental Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Sourther Leyte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon, among others.

It is reported that there are more than 300 casualties of which 15 were confirmed and 120 are still for verification by the PRC.

Earlier, the PRC deployed a humanitarian airplane to Siargao with a large team to assess and document the situation, provide relief, and restore family links. The deployment included a portable generator, two-way satellite ground station, basic medicines, first aid kits, and communications equipment.

“We were running blind with Siargao because of the lack of communication. This is the reason why we sent a plane to assess the situation and come up with a comprehensive plan to provide relief,” says Sen. Gordon.

In the meantime, operations continue for clearing, relief, food and water distribution continue for the rest of the provinces, especially those hardest hit, including Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. More than 117 thousand houses were damaged, and thousands are families are left without basic necessities.

“Tuloy-tuloy and tulong ng Red Cross sa mga nangangailangan. We are here to alleviate human suffering and provide hope to our fellowman,” concludes Sen. Gordon. ( Philippine Red Cross)