MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on April 21 supported the city government of Baybay in its retrieval operations in Barangay Kantagnos. PRC persists in bolstering Baybay’s capacity, 11 days after the first PRC contingent arrived in the city to assist its search and rescue team.
On April 11, after multiple landslides were reported in Leyte due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm (TS) Agaton, PRC sent a search and rescue team to assist the local government.
Meanwhile, on April 12, a PRC humanitarian caravan, composed of a water tanker, an ambulance, and a mobile kitchen arrived in Baybay. Two more teams were then added afterward, to reinforce the ambulance services and help provide welfare services, such as distributing hot meals and providing psychosocial first aid.
Yesterday, the PRC team in Baybay also distributed 20,100 liters of water in Baybay National High School and 1,000 liters in Barangay Gubang. The team also conducted hygiene promotion in Barangay Gubang.
From April 7 to 21, PRC has provided the following assistance: 262,000 liters of water on which 163,000 liters distributed in Leyte and 99,000 liters in Davao de Oro; conducted hygiene promotion to 1,384 individuals in Leyte, Capiz, Davao de Oro, and Surigao del Norte, respectively.
PRC has also served hot meals to 12,789 persons: 2,811 in Passi City, 2,567 in Leyte, 2,296 in Iloilo, 994 in Southern Leyte, 841 in Negros Occidental, 726 in Ormoc, 700 in Sorsogon, 690 in Capiz, 664 in Davao de Oro, 350 in General Santos City, and 150 in Hilongos.
To date, PRC has mobilized 33 volunteers and staff, three rescue boats, three ambulance units, two service vehicles, one water tanker, two mobile kitchens, one pickup truck, and one Land Cruiser for its TS Agaton Response.
PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard “Dick” J. Gordon is in constant communication with the PRC Operations Center and teams on the ground to monitor the situation in Baybay and other affected areas.
“When the world no longer watches, the Philippine Red Cross does what must be done,” Chairman Gordon said. (Philippine Red Cross)
