MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has provided hot meals and medicines to many people affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) as part of its swift response to calamities, living up to the mantra “always first, always ready, always there.”

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has provided hot meals and medicines to many people affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) as part of its swift response to calamities, living up to the mantra “always first, always ready, always there.”

Typhoon Julian, which developed into a super typhoon Tuesday morning, battered five provinces in Northern Luzon, affecting around 450 families or 1,600 individuals, according to reports from PRC’s local chapters.

As of 11 a.m. on October 1, 386 families or 1,537 volunteers are seeking temporary shelter in 24 evacuation centers in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Batanes, Abra, and Baguio City.

Being among the hardest hit, PRC’s Ilocos Norte Chapter immediately mobilized its staff to assist civilians seeking safety in evacuation centers. So far, a total of 194 displaced individuals in three evacuation centers in the province have been served hot meals.

Medicines have been distributed to 72 evacuees, while health lectures on leptospirosis and other diseases have been given to 25 participants. Welfare desks and first aid stations have also been established to address peoples’ concerns.

Volunteer responders from the PRC Batanes Chapter have also conducted first aid treatment to people wounded in the aftermath of the strong winds and floods.

“Since heavy rains are still expected in the coming days, flooding remains a threat. All our concerned chapters’ emergency response units (ERU) are on standby, and their respective RC143 volunteers have been mobilized to support operations on the ground,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

“Our chapters are also actively coordinating with their local governments to do rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) reports to ensure the safety of communities in their areas of responsibility,” added PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Super Typhoon Julian has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but may possibly re-enter PAR tomorrow, October 2.