MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) sends its fleet of food trucks to vulnerable communities in hard-hit areas of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Paeng’ (international name: Nalgae) to alleviate hunger and reduce the food security concerns of affected families.

Days after STS ‘Paeng’ exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it left a trail of massive flooding, rain-induced landslides, and displacement across the country. It has also affected over two (2) million individuals or 510, 222 families and caused damage to livelihood, and disrupted food and water supplies.

As of 4 November, PRC has served hot meals to 28,029 individuals in the cities and towns of Maguindanao, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Aklan, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Ilo-Ilo, Northern Samar, Antique, Cebu, Masbate, Romblon, Palawan, Bataan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Catanduanes, Laguna, Zambales, Aurora, Pangasinan, Kalinga, Quezon, Nueva Viscaya, Marinduque, Isabela, Bulacan, Manila, Marikina, Rizal, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Pasig-Pateros.

PRC has also distributed 2,499 bottled water in Cagayan.

Meanwhile, Gardenia Bakeries, a long-time food donor of PRC, donated bread loaves which were distributed to 1, 455 affected families in Laguna and Pampanga.

Since 28 October, PRC has pre-positioned relief assets and equipment such as payloaders, water tankers, and food trucks for Paeng-affected communities. PRC staff and volunteers monitored the affected families' further needs for food, safe water, clothing, shelter, hygiene, sanitation, and medical and psychosocial care. (Philippine Red Cross)