MANDALUYONG CITY -- Trained Philippine Red Cross personnel provided a psychological first aid (PFA) intervention to 1,309 adults and facilitated child-friendly activities designed as PFA to 2,649 children affected by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Paeng ‘ in Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Cotabato City, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Maguindanao, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Negros Occidental, Rizal, Romblon, and Zamboanga City.

‘Paeng’ took away not only lives but also livelihoods and possessions. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, thousands of homes were damaged and tens of thousands of farmers and fisherfolk lost their livelihoods. With this, PRC has placed significance on its psychological first aid intervention for those who survived the disaster to address their mental health needs during a time of distress.

PRC has provided humanitarian aid such as emergency rescue and evacuation, emergency medical services, health, hot meals, food items, water, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, shelter strengthening kits, clothes, slippers, cash, and PFA to Paeng-affected communities across the country since the onset of the typhoon. (Philippine Red Cross)