The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday assured that it will continue to extend assistance to the families whose lives were shattered by the onslaught of super typhoon “Rolly."
“We have made an assessment of their primary needs and we provide that,” PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon said. “It is our mission to alleviate human suffering and uplift human dignity that is why we will help them rebuild their lives,” he added.
Gordon noted that the PRC has been providing what the affected families are in dire need of based on the assessment of PRC teams on the ground. “We want to help them get back on their feet faster,” he said.
During the height of the typhoon, PRC conducted search and rescue operations as well as attended to the wounded. Psychosocial assistance was also provided by tracing relatives who got separated.
PRC, the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, has also been providing hot meals to almost 11,000 individuals in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and other affected areas. As part of its relief distribution operations, the PRC has also distributed non-food items to the affected families.
In Albay and Catanduanes, some 173 families were initially provided with tarpaulins, jerry cans, hygiene kits and sleeping kits. NFIs were also distributed in Sorsogon. In Catanduanes, the PRC Chapter provided the only form of communication after the typhoon through its satellite phone.
In areas where power lines were damaged, the PRC sent generator sets to ensure unhampered delivery of service. It also deployed water tankers, LMS (water purification system) and bladders to ensure sufficient potable water supply in areas where water access have been rendered limited, such as Catanduanes and Albay. Water treatment units were also installed.
“We are continuously assessing what is needed,” Gordon said. “We have also been distributing GI sheets to those with partially damaged houses so the families can stay in their own homes,” he added.
Gordon noted that the PRC has also established health/first aid stations in evacuation centers to prevent the spread of, not only COVID-19, but also other diseases.
“We will also further assess sanitation needs in the affected communities and evacuation centers,” he said.
“We can provide portable comfort rooms and shower rooms, in areas where they are needed,” he ended.