MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is sending a full-fledged humanitarian caravan to the provinces hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

In a meeting convened Wednesday morning, October 23, PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, who are both tirelessly leading the PRC’s operations in the Philippines in the midst of the 2024 Statutory Meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, instructed the deployment of more necessary assets to Camarines Sur and Albay, following calls for aid from local officials. 

“The impact of this typhoon came to us by surprise. Nabulaga tayo ng bagyong ito, pero kahit anong mangyari, laging handa ang Philippine Red Cross. We’ve already deployed many of our rescue teams, especially water, search, and rescue (WASAR) teams to help civilians stranded in their homes or on the streets. We’ll also be deploying 6×6 trucks, amphibian, rubber boats, food trucks, and water tankers. We have also mobilized our PRC chapters and Red Cross 143 volunteers in nearby regions to assist in rescue and relief efforts. We’re all hands on deck,” said Gordon. 

Relief trucks are being prepared to carry food and non-food items such as jerry cans, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and kitchen sets for the thousands of families in evacuation centers. 

“The safety of people in evacuation centers is very important to us. We will provide them with basic necessities like hot meals, food, and clean water. Through our welfare units, we aim to give families some comfort in these trying times to ensure their physical health and psychological wellbeing are taken care of,” said Dr. Pang. 

Gordon also remarked that the PRC is closely monitoring the movement of lahar from Mayon Volcano in Albay amid the storm. 

Since Severe Tropical Storm Kristine entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on October 21, 6,437 families or 23,992 individuals have been displaced in 234 evacuation centers, mostly in Albay and Sorsogon, as of 3 p.m. on October 23. 

During the storm, PRC volunteers in Sorsogon were able to wade through waist-deep flood waters and strong currents to rescue a pregnant woman from her home on October 22, where she was safely transported to the provincial hospital. 

As of 3 p.m. on October 23, 4,210 individuals in evacuation centers in Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Negros Occidental, Albay, Southern Leyte, and Western Samar have been given hot meals. 460 people have also received psychological first aid in Sorsogon. 

The emergency response units (ERU) of PRC chapters in Catanduanes and Camarines Norte have also assisted 58 people. 

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