The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has initially extended relief aid to the local government units (LGUs) affected by Tropical storm “Auring”.
Through its Field Office-Caraga, the DSWD said it augmented the resources of LGUs in the affected region.
"As of February 20, an initial assistance of P179,000 worth of food and non-food items were provided to the affected LGUs in the region,” the DSWD said in a statement.
Citing the report from Field Office-Caraga, it said Auring affected 3,858 families or 14,233 individuals from various towns in the region.
"Of this number, 3,403 families or 12,081 individuals were currently staying in evacuation centers set up by LGUs,” the DSWD noted.
Based on the report, Auring damaged around 142 houses in Caraga.
The DSWD assured the public that its Caraga’s Quick Response Team (QRT) “is on alert status to continuously monitor the situation and to coordinate with the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) for additional relief support."
Around 6,423 family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items amounting to P13.5 million were available for distribution during relief operations, it said.
The Field Office-Caraga has P3 million in standby funds that can be tapped to buy emergency relief supplies, the DSWD said.