The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) conducted a relief operation in Barangay Sabnangan and Sito Pega in Luba town, Abra which was devastated by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck on July 27.
These communities, the humanitarian organization said, were only reached after the volunteers and staff crossed two rivers and trekked a mountain along with the boxes of relief goods for the residents.
In a report by PRC, a total of 191 families received a hygiene kit containing body and laundry soaps, sanitary napkins, towels, toilet papers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors during the relief operation conducted over the weekend.
These non-food items are estimated to last for a month and are enough for five people, PRC added.
Moreover, the PRC also set up child-friendly spaces for 255 children in Barangay Badas and Barangay Poblacion North in San Juan, Abra on Aug. 13. Hot meals and face masks were also distributed to 475 individuals, said PRC.
As of Aug. 15, the organization reported that it has already provided 1,091,427 liters of water through its water tankers, hot meals to 18,488 persons, 12,568 bottles of water, 1,590 hygiene kits, 1,404 food packs, jerry cans to 1,223 families, and sleeping kits to 550 families in areas affected by the earthquake.
"Gaya ng dati, and Red Cross ay laging nandyan upang ibsan ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan matapos ang isang sakuna. Ginagawa natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para marating ang pinaka-nangangailangan (Just like before, Red Cross is always present to alleviate the situation of our countrymen every after disaster. We are doing our best to reach those who are most in need)," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon assured.