As part of its goal to quickly deliver humanitarian services and help alleviate the suffering of Filipinos in need, the Philippine Red Cross intensified its efforts to aid affected individuals following the destructive magnitude 7.0 earthquake on July 27.
The epicenter of the quake was traced three kilometers northwest of Tayum, Abra. It was felt in huge parts of Luzon including Metro Manila.
“Simula noong Miyerkules ay mabilis ang naging aksyon ng Red Cross para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan. Patuloy tayong maghahatid ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng lindol. Hindi natin sila iiwan hanggang matiyak natin na sila ay ligtas (Since Wednesday, the Red Cross has acted quickly to help our countrymen. We will continue to deliver aid to those affected by the earthquake. We will not leave them until we are sure they are safe),” said PH Red Cross Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon in a press statement on Friday, July 29.
The humanitarian organization dispatched seven ambulance units in Abra and Ilocos Sur. It also mounted three welfare desks in hard-hit Abra and Ilocos Sur.
Apart from these, they distributed 1,200 pieces of bottled water, 46 sleeping kits, 176 food items, 666 hygiene kits, and 720 face masks in the aforementioned areas.
Gordon then appealed for monetary and in-kind donations in order for the organization to help more individuals in need.
Meanwhile, the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that the number of fatalities due to the powerful quake has climbed to six. Five of these deaths were recorded in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while the remaining one was reported in Ilocos Sur, but details of this death were still under validation.