MANDALUYONG CITY -- Weeks after Typhoon Odette devastated Visayas and Mindanao, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues its relief efforts. With over 7 million affected individuals, PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon says Typhoon Odette should not be forgotten as more help is needed to restore the lifelines in the affected provinces.

Describing the aftermath of Odette as "a slow, simpering, difficult challenge that will go on for the next several months," Sen. Gordon held a diplomatic meeting with foreign embassies, the foreign red cross societies, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and the International Committee of the Red Cross , to appeal for more support to fund PRC's Typhoon Odette Operations. The PRC Board of Governors was also in attendance. The Chairman expounded on the current situation on the ground as he detailed his visit from January 6 to 7, 2022 to personally assess the damage brought about by Typhoon Odette. He also laid out the current activities of the Red Cross per province by priority based on the extent of the damage. The PRC aims to deliver not only urgent relief but long term recovery efforts for each province.

As of this writing, PRC provided 76,748 hot meals, 3,728 food packs, over 3 million liters of clean and potable water, PHP 3,500 cash assistance to 1,173 families, temporary shelter to 2,547 families, psychosocial support to 10,643 individuals, and hygiene promotion for 52,596 individuals, among others.

"The Red Cross is everywhere. Days before the typhoon made landfall, we were already preparing our response, evacuations centers, and assets. We are the first to respond, we are always ready with our assets, and we are there in every affected province," Chairman Gordon said.

"Every bit helps, and hopefully we can come out as successfully. as we did for the Haiyan relief efforts. The integrity of the PRC is without question as all our funds are meticulously accounted for at all time," Gordon added. (Philippine Red Cross )