The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) immediately reached out to individuals and families severely hit during the onslaught of Typhoon Enteng (international name: Yagi) that according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had affected 500,000 people in the country. 

As stated by the PRC Welfare Services, the office in charge of implementing the program in disaster-hit communities, the primary objectives of the PRC’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) are to protect the psychosocial well-being of distressed citizens by addressing their concerns through provision of psychological first aid, to prepare communities and humanitarian workers to cope and manage stress during challenging circumstances, and to provide support and care activities before, during, and after a crisis. 

Under this program, PRC is implementing Psychological First Aid (PFA) for adults and Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) for children—both are created to offer coping mechanisms that help ease the emotional distress of affected groups especially those who have lost their loved ones or something valuable like shelter after a catastrophe. 

In the province of Rizal with the highest recorded death count, the PRC provided psychological first aid to landslide survivors in Sitio Hinapao, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo. Aside from this, food packs (10 kilos of rice and 25 pcs of noodles) and sleeping kits were also distributed to vulnerable families. 

Meanwhile, in Camarines Norte with one casualty, 18 missing individuals, and 75 damaged shelters, the PRC provided psychological first aid to residents in the municipalities of Mercedes and Panganiban. 

“The aftermath of a disaster is always the hardest to endure. To our kababayans, I just want to let you all know that the Red Cross is with you in these trying times; we grieve with you. Hindi kayo nag-iisa at gagawin namin ang aming makakaya para tulungan kayong bumangon at magsimulang muli,” PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon said. 

In addition, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang believes that “Mental health is as important as physical health. Apart from the basic needs that the PRC gives during disasters and emergencies, it also offers emotional support. This program is crucial to the welfare and recovery of the vulnerable sectors PRC serves.” 

From 2012 to 2023, the PRC’s MHPSS benefitted 461,207 disadvantaged populations.