MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has given hot meals to displaced families and distributed clean water to communities affected by Typhoon Marce (international name: Yinxing) in Northern Luzon. 

As of 4 p.m. on November 8, hot meals have been given to 320 individuals in evacuation centers in Cagayan while food was donated to more than 30 individuals in Apayao. 110 people in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte were also provided with psychological support amid the storm, and 114 children participated in activities within the child-friendly spaces established in evacuation centers in both Cagayan and Apayao. 

The PRC has also distributed 96 liters of clean water and 203 bottled waters to residents. 50 people also joined the PRC’s hygiene promotion sessions, particularly handwashing activities aimed to teach proper sanitation and hygiene to children. 

In addition, medicines and doxycycline were given to individuals in Ilocos Norte. 

According to recent data collated by the PRC Operation Center, Marce has prompted the evacuation of over 3,000 families or nearly 9,000 individuals in the Cagayan Valley region and Ilocos Region. 

Prior to the typhoon’s landfall in Cagayan, RC143 volunteers and staff already conducted shelter strengthening activities, providing some 17 families in Brgys. Minanga, Paddaya, and Villa Leonora in Buguey, Cagayan with shelter strengthening toolkits containing materials that can help make their homes sturdier in order to withstand strong winds and heavy rains. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon remarked: “Our kababayans in the North have had no rest from the harsh impacts of Kristine, Leon, and now Marce. For the people of Cagayan, we have given out tools to build stronger homes, assisted in early evacuation efforts, and are continuously providing food and water to quell people’s hunger and thirst. As we anticipate more typhoons before this year ends, we are focusing on implementing preemptive and anticipatory actions to help reduce their effects on communities. Post-disaster relief is vital, but preparedness remains the key.” 

“These relentless storms reinforce the importance of disaster preparedness at the community and individual levels. More storms and other disasters will come, so we must be “disaster-wais.” We urge everyone to prepare their “go-bags” in case of emergency evacuation, be vigilant, keep updated on the news, and follow protocols from the authorities in your areas,” added PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang. 

As of 4 p.m. today, the center of the eye of Typhoon MARCE exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.