MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — No matter how hard the storm hits, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is “Always First, Always Ready, and Always There” as our dedicated volunteers and staff sprang into action to rescue a pregnant woman from raging flood waters amid Typhoon Kristine. 

At 8 a.m. on Oct. 22, the PRC emergency management services (EMS) teams on the ground received a distress call about Nica, a 20-year-old mother due to give birth between October 20-25, who was suffering from minor abdominal pain. Nica’s husband, Charles, had grown anxious after a check-up from the response team revealed a 2 cm cervical opening, heightening the possibility of her experiencing labor. He knew they needed to rush her to the hospital. However, the floodwaters had risen dramatically—from one foot to three feet—making their escape perilous.

At 10 a.m., the water, search, and rescue (WASAR) team, coordinated with Sorsogon City’s disaster response unit to rescue Nica from their flooded home, wading through 150 meters of flood and using a rope as a safety line to help the volunteers not get swept by the strong current while carrying the patient. After much difficulty traversing the roads, they emerged safely from the flood and carefully loaded her into a PRC ambulance, providing standard care during transport.

“Nagtulungan po kami para mailabas po siya at immediately kinarga sa ambulance para po maassess at madala sa ospital,” said Ruize Angeles, focal person for the Disaster Management Services (DMS) of PRC Sorsogon Chapter. 

With PRC’s EMS Team, they were able to rush Nica to Sorsogon Provincial Hospital by 10:15 a.m. Fortunately, upon examination, the doctor determined her pain was not labor-related but rather false labor due to stress. Nica and Charles were advised to return once her cervix had opened to 5 cm.

Relieved but exhausted, as the floodwaters began to recede, the couple was able to return home to Brgy. Gimaloto at around 9:40 a.m. on Oct. 23 and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to PRC for their swift assistance. 

The PRC also provided an emergency hotline to the couple, reminding them to call for an ambulance when the time for delivery arrives. Through the storm’s chaos, stories of resilience emerged, underscoring the enduring spirit of motherhood and community support in the face of adversity.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon commends our PRC WASAR and ambulance teams, namely John Erick Veloso, Bryan Gile, Joniel Dugan, Ruize Angeles, and Jonathan Regondola for their bravery and commitment to saving lives, as well as our staff and volunteers in Sorsogon.

“Walang Philippine Red Cross kung walang dedicated staffs and volunteers. I am grateful by the heroic deeds of our members. Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtulong sa kapwa. Saludo ako sa inyo!” he said. 

###