Floods caused by shear line-driven heavy rains which began last Christmas weekend have displaced hundreds of families and affected the provision of basic services including water, food and health in affected communities. In line with this, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) ramped up its relief operations, alongside its rescue preparations, to assist flood-hit families in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang pamamahagi natin ng tulong sa mga kababayan nating biktima ng baha sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao. Nagpadala tayo ng hot meals at malinis na supply ng tubig dahil ang mga ito ang pangunahing pangangailangan sa mga evacuation centers. Naka-alalay rin ang ating 143 volunteers, first aiders at Emergency Response Unit (ERU) para saklolohan ang mga nangangailangan ng agarang tulong,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

As of 17 January, the PRC has served 16, 722 affected individuals in Agusan Del Norte, Davao De Oro, Misamis Oriental-Gingoog City, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga City, Palawan, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Misamis Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Lapu-Lapu Cordova, and Sulu with hot meals.

In addition to food, the PRC WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Unit immediately mobilized its water tankers and water bladders to distribute 300, 000 liters of clean water to Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City. The WASH Unit also conducted hygiene promotion to 2, 990 affected individuals in Agusan Del Norte, Palawan, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental to guarantee the practice of proper hygiene among evacuees.

Meanwhile, 1, 087 affected children in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Palawan were able to participate in creative activities provided by PRC Welfare Unit’s Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS), while 1, 914 adults in Zamboanga City, Lanao Del Norte, Agusan Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Palawan underwent Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions.