At least P8.19 million worth of livelihood assistance was released by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to 819 families in Lanao Del Sur and Maguindanao.
Each family received P10,000 cash assistance in a ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 10.
This program is a part of PRC's over P40-million worth Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Peace and Development Project in partnership with the Spanish Red Cross and funded by the European Union in the Philippines.
The project focuses on assisting BARMM communities heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and armed conflicts.
"Ang tulong na ito ay upang makapagsimula sila ng kabuhayang angkop sa kanya-kanya nilang komunidad (The purpose of this assistance is to help them make a living that matches their respective community)," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon said in a Facebook post.
The budget also covers mental health intervention, vaccination promotion, skills training for the youth, and the creation of savings groups and cooperatives, Gordon said.
Hasma Zainudin, one of the beneficiaries, shared with PRC that she lost the capital of her small pastil business because of the pandemic.
"Sa tulong po ng Philippine Red Cross, makakagawa na po ako ng maliit na negosyo (With the help of Philippine Red Cross, I can now put up a small business)," Zainudin said.
Before this activity, PRC said that it has already dispensed a P39.9 million budget for the Covid-19 vaccination of 84,614 individuals in the region.
A total of 101,851 individuals also received "primary healthcare training, psychosocial support, and WASH activities including hygiene training," through the said amount as per PRC.
Moreover, the BARMM Peace and Development Project also provided educational assistance to 102 youths through a partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
"The Philippine Red Cross will continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable. We will stay true to our mantra of Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology equals to a Philippine Red Cross that is Always First, Always There, and Always Ready," Gordon said.