The British government has committed a P65-million financial aid to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to boost its typhoon relief operations.
Senator Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, said British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce called to inform him that the United Kingdom will donate some P65 million to the PRC through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“Tumawag siya (He called and told me), ‘We want to help you because you're doing a good job’. Hindi naman ako nagbubuhat ng bangko (I am not trying to be big-headed)... but he committed na magbibigay sila (that they will donate),” Gordon disclosed in an online interview with reporters.
Aside from these, the American Red Cross would also be giving $200,000, as well as the Canadian Red Cross also committed to give CAD 160,000.
Likewise, the PRC would receive from the Singapore Red Cross SGD50,000, and P10 million from South Korea.
Gordon said the foreign aid would all be used for the repair of the houses and other forms of assistance for families displaced by Typhoon “Rolly” in Catanduanes and other typhoon-hit provinces.
He said they have assessed the primary needs in the affected areas and will prioritize on providing those. These include hot meals, water supply, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, sleeping kits as well as psychosocial assistance for relatives who were separated by the disaster.
“We are continuously assessing what is needed. We have also been distributing sheets to those with partially damaged houses so the families can stay in their own homes. We also established a health/first aid station in evacuation centers to prevent the spread of, not only COVID-19, but also other diseases,” Gordon said.
“We will also further assess sanitation needs in the affected communities and evacuation centers. We can provide portable comfort rooms and shower rooms, in areas where they are needed,” he added.