Philippine Red Cross

Philippine Red Cross sends hot meals and provides psychosocial support to victims of the New Year fire in Navotas.

Written on January 2, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross deployed its hot meals on wheels food truck and a psychological support team to provide much-needed relief to the children and families affected by the New Year fire in Market 3 Brgy. NBBN, Navotas City.

A total of 338 individuals are still in evacuation centers. Aside from hot meals and psychosocial first aid, the volunteers and staff of PRC also provided health and hygiene promotion as well as child-friendly space activities to help the affected children cope with the traumatic experience.

New Year Celebration ablaze, PH Red Cross responds to four different fires during the first hours of 2023

Written on January 1, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

Minutes after the country welcomed the first hours of 2023, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center received reports of four fire incidents that occurred almost simultaneously in the National Capital Region (NCR). The PRC immediately deployed its firefighting and emergency medical services to help put out the fire that broke out in residential areas and a warehouse in Tondo, Taguig City, Quezon City, and Valenzuela.

“Kahit sa celebration ng Bagong Taon ay handa ang Philippine Red Cross na rumesponde sa ating mga kababayan na biktima ng sunog at iba pang insidente. Patuloy nating imo-monitor ang pangangailangan ng mga biktima at sasamahan sila hanggang sila ay tuluyang maka-recover sa nangyari,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon.

The PRC dispatched a fire truck with three personnel to Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig City after a fire, which reached the third alarm, engulfed a residential compound at 1: 08 am on 01 January. An ambulance with three trained personnel followed the operation to provide medical assistance to victims. The PRC Taguig Chapter also mobilized its Red Cross 143 (RC143) volunteers in the area to coordinate with the Barangay officials and City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) and monitor the further needs of the fire victims who sought temporary shelter in Taguig Integrated School.

Meanwhile, a second alarm fire hit a warehouse in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City at 1:11 am and a residential area in Paso De Blas, Valenzuela at 1:30 am. The PRC immediately dispatched an ambulance to each fire incident and sent trained medical personnel to attend to the fire victims.

Another residential area was hit by a second-alarm fire in Barangay 254, Tondo two hours before 01 January. The PRC deployed a fire truck with seven personnel and an ambulance with two trained medical personnel to assist the victims.

The cause of the fire incidents, the number of families affected, and the houses burned are still being determined by authorities. The PRC resources such as ambulances and fire trucks are part of the humanitarian organization’s national response to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities in times of emergency.

Philippine Red Cross deploys its water tanker and and hot meals food truck to flood-hit Misamis Occidental

Written on January 1, 2023. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross deploys its water tanker and hot meals food truck to flood-hit Misamis Occidental

Following the Christmas Day flooding across several parts of Mindanao, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deployed a water tanker to meet the needs of communities who lost access to clean and safe drinking water. Five hundred families benefited from 10,000 liters of clean and safe drinking water distributed in Barangay Mansabay Bajo, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental yesterday, December 31, 2022.

“Water is absolutely necessary to sustain life. After a hazard event, such as a flood, water sources may be damaged or compromised. That is why one of PRC’s first responses to people affected by disasters is the deployment of our water tankers,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

PRC was among the first groups to send humanitarian aid to Mindanao and Visayas after the shear line caused massive flooding on Christmas Day.

As of December 31, 2022, PRC has provided the following assistance to people affected by the flooding: emergency medical services to 137 persons, rescue and evacuation assistance to 193 individuals, including children, hot meals to 9,834 persons, health information and medicines to 87 people, food items to 138 families, psychological first aid to 1,961 adults and children, and hygiene education to 1,345 people.

PH Red Cross responds to huge fire In Navotas, deploys ambulance and firefighting teams on New Year’s Eve

Written on December 31, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Amidst preparations for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Philippine Red Cross immediately dispatched its firefighting volunteers and two teams of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel when a huge fire broke out at Market 3, Brgy. NBBN in Navotas City this afternoon.

The fire broke out around 2:20 PM and immediately blazed through a cold storage facility and a surrounding residential area, hitting the 3rd alarm.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon immediately dispatched from PRC’s Malabon and Caloocan City Chapters a firetruck with six trained firefighting volunteers, augmented by two ambulance units with six trained EMS personnel to provide first aid support to the area.

“Pinaaalalahanan natin ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat at maging mapagmatyag sa anumang pangangib, lalo na ngayong bisperas ng bagong taon,” said Chairman Gordon.

As of press writing, the exact numbers of families and houses affected are still being assessed, but the PRC team on the ground estimates that about 100 houses around the burnt cold storage facility have been affected. The fire was reported to be under control as of 5:45 PM.

PRC will send hot meals and provide other relief items to the affected families once an official evacuation center is established by the local government.

ICRC Vice President lauds PH Red Cross’ response capacity, leadership of Chairman Gordon

Written on December 22, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events.

A month after his visit in General Santos City to see the Covid-19 “Bakuna Bus” operations, the Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Gilles Carbonnier sent his commendations to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and its Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon for the foremost organization’s innovative crisis response and community-level services.

On 15 December, in a letter addressed to Chairman Gordon, Vice President Carbonnier said, “The innovations you have spearheaded at the Philippine Red Cross’s headquarters and in your response capacity are remarkable. The visit to General Santos City allowed me to see for myself how a local chapter delivered services in its community. Your staff and volunteers’ tireless work are commendable.”

“Our mantra of ‘Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = A Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, and Always There” serves as a guide for us as we continue to serve humanity. We shall keep strengthening the localization of our humanitarian responses to provide more efficient services to our most vulnerable people,” Chairman Gordon, meanwhile, said.

Vice President Carbonnier further cited that the PRC and ICRC showed the importance of continually adapting to the ever-changing landscape of humanitarian action. “At the ICRC, we are delighted to enjoy such a fruitful partnership with your National Society [PRC]. I am sure, as I emphasized during my visit, that we shall continue to work well together to deliver on our humanitarian mission in the Philippines,” added Vice President Carbonnier.

As of October 2022, the PRC’s Bakuna Buses and Bakuna Centers with Bakuna Teams, in partnership with ICRC, have administered a total of 325, 066 vaccines — 76, 876 individuals fully vaccinated and 51,238 persons boosted — in the region of Mindanao.

PH Red Cross’s RC143 volunteers advised to be vigilant amidst threat of HFMD

Written on December 12, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

As the Philippines’ health department reports an increase in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon advised the premier humanitarian organization’s network of barangay-based volunteers to be vigilant. HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection that is common among infants and children. Gordon added that greater caution is needed as children interact with each other in face-to-face classes and with family during the Christmas season.

“PRC’s Health Services Team has alerted all our 100+ chapters — and our RC143 volunteers — to be vigilant and report to our Operations Center information from the barangays on HFMD cases,” Gordon said.

It is different from foot-and-mouth, or hoof-and-mouth, disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. People infected by HFMD are most contagious during the first week of their illness. Its incubation period is two to 14 days. Its signs and symptoms are fever, sore throat, malaise (feeling of being unwell), painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and the inside of the cheeks, red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles, and sometimes the buttocks, irritability in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite.

HFMD is transmitted through contact with nose and throat discharges and saliva of infected persons and contaminated objects. Good hygiene, such as proper handwashing, can decrease the risk of spreading the disease. Disinfection of premises and all infected surfaces will also help.

International Volunteer Day: PH Red Cross strengthens RC143 volunteer program to help more vulnerable communities

Written on December 5, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events.

The spirit of volunteerism defines the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Today (05 December), the PRC celebrates International Volunteer Day by honoring the unwavering commitment and efforts of Red Cross 143 (RC143) volunteers to serve the most vulnerable.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon, who has been volunteering his time to serve the most vulnerable for 54 years, expressed his appreciation to the volunteers of the foremost humanitarian organization. “Hindi kailanman mapapantayan ng kahit na ano ang halaga ng ating mga volunteers. Saludo ako sa ating mga volunteers na purong pagmamalasakit sa kapwa ang dahilan ng kanilang mga ginagawang pagtulong. Ang PRC ay mananatiling katulong at kaagapay ninyo sa pag-angat sa ating mga kababayan. Mabuhay kayo,” said Chairman Gordon.

The PRC Chapters will conduct the following activities, among others, to encourage and strengthen volunteerism in communities: volunteer promotion and recruitment in public areas, chapter volunteer recognition, and Red Cross 143 volunteer stories.

For over 75 years, PRC volunteers have dedicated their time and effort to ensure safety and provide assistance to the most vulnerable. From January 1 to December 1, 2022, through the assistance of volunteers, PRC has administered 400, 895 Covid-19 vaccines and provided 230, 874 patients with blood services. Meanwhile, from 2020 to 2022, PRC Welfare Services served hot meals to 339, 323 victims of disasters and other emergencies.

The PRC, through its RC143 community-based volunteering program, promotes a culture of self-help in the communities by developing a network of volunteers trained to predict potential risks, plan, prepare, and practice for effective community-based disaster risk reduction. To become a PRC volunteer, fill out the online application form through redcross.ph/volunteer or visit the PRC National Headquarters or nearest PRC chapter. Inquiries are welcome at PRC’s website, www.redcross.org.ph, or at landline number (02) 8790 2300 LOCAL 945, or at [email protected].

PH RED CROSS AND LRTA CONDUCT A BLOODLETTING ACTIVITY

Written on December 2, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

The stringent Covid-19 lockdown rules halted blood donation activities, precipitating a blood shortage for medical transfusions in the country. On 25 November, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), conducted a bloodletting activity in LRT-2 Araneta–Center Cubao Station from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM to help replenish the blood reserves in the country. The activity generated a total of 21 blood units.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa LRTA sa patuloy nilang pakikipagtulungan sa amin. Ang ganitong blood donation activity ay mahalaga dahil ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa dugo ay hindi kailanman matatapos. The blood units collected in this activity will surely reach and help many of our kababayans in vulnerable situations,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

A unit of blood can save the lives of multiple people. According to PRC Blood Services, red cells, platelets, and plasma are among the transfusable components that can be derived from donated blood. Patients may receive a pint of whole blood or only the specific components of the blood that are required to treat their particular condition.

The PRC has 31 blood centers and 73 blood-collecting units nationwide. From January 1 to October 31, 2022, PRC National Blood Services served 203, 645 patients and collected 392, 391 blood units from 336, 587 donors.

Holiday seasons are known to be lean periods for blood donations, but the Philippine Red Cross is committed to saving lives by conducting blood donation drives anytime. For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC National Blood Services at [email protected] or contact the PRC Blood Call Center, which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143.

PRC Malabon City Chapter holds 6th Chapter Assembly, shows full support for PH Red Cross’s services

Written on December 2, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Malabon City — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Malabon City Chapter held its 6th Chapter Assembly on 29 November 2022 at the Rotary Club of Malabon Civic Center with the theme “Harvesting Opportunity for a Prepared and Engaged Community”. The event is an annual opportunity to honor, highlight, and report the powerful contributions of volunteers to the Malabon City Chapter’s activities and achievements.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon expressed his appreciation for the staff and volunteers of the Malabon City Chapter. “Ngayong araw na ito ay binabati ko kayo para sa marami ninyong nagawa para maiangat ang mga kababayan nating nasa vulnerable situations […]. Agaran ang pagresponde ninyo sa mga sunog at puspusan din ang vaccination drive ninyo laban sa polio at Covid-19 […]. Masaya ako na kumpleto na ang Red Cross 143 (RC143) volunteer ng inyong chapter, at ngayon ay kumikilos naman kayo para makumpleto ang RC143 ng mga barangay,” said Chairman Gordon.

During the assembly, the Board of Directors of the Malabon City Chapter reported on the chapter’s activities and achievements, which support the goals of PRC’s different services. The report stated that amid the decline of blood donors and blood donation activities because of the global pandemic, the Malabon City Chapter remained committed to PRC’s goal of delivering adequate, safe, and quality blood supply to the most vulnerable. From 2020 to 2022, it collected 2, 095 blood units from 2, 429 donors and dispensed 1, 959 units. The chapter also emphasized their successful vaccination drives against Covid-19, measles, and polio.

Mayor and Malabon City Chapter Board of Directors Honorary Chairman Jeannie Sandoval mentioned that the growing number of their volunteers greatly contributed to the success of their activities. The chapter, meanwhile, also elected its new set of Board of Directors.

PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang to PRC Malabon City Chapter: “The Malabon City Chapter is fortunate to have active volunteers. Let me applaud the staff and volunteers of this chapter for your dedication and commitment to alleviating human suffering and uplifting human dignity.

Philippine Red Cross intensifies its barangay-based RC143 volunteer system to help communities achieve resilience

Written on November 26, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Valenzuela City- Amidst the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Valenzuela Chapter held its 8th Biennial Chapter Assembly on November 25, 2022, at the PRC Valenzuela City Chapter Building, ALERT Center Compound, Malinta, Valenzuela City, with the theme “Embracing the new normal towards a resilient community.”

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon, in his address to the Assembly participants, said that the premier humanitarian organization is “addressing the new challenges as seen in recent disasters through an intensified RC143 volunteer system.” Current Valenzuela City Chapter Board of Directors’ Chair Elizabeth Chongco reported that the number of the Chapter’s volunteers is increasing.

The Chapter’s new set of Board of Directors was also elected during the biennial assembly.

PRC staff and volunteers from various PRC teams attended the event. Delegates from select government agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, DepEd, Health Centers, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Valenzuela City, Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Office of the City Mayor, and Valenzuela City Anti Drug Abuse Council, were also present.

Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

disaster management services philippines

social welfare services philippines

blood donation philippines

volunteer services philippines

health and services philippines

red cross philippines

Category: News and Events