Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on October 14 to strengthen the capacity of communities and local government units (LGUs) through community-based disaster risk reduction and management (CBDRRM) training.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, OCD Usec. Ariel F. Nepomuceno, and Civil Defense Training Institute (CDTI) Director Eugenio Gepte Jr. signed the MOU during the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The CBDRRM training will use the standard module approved by the OCD, with additional sessions on the Red Cross Movement and RC143 Volunteers Recruitment.

“National disaster risk reduction and management is a vital part of the nomenclature of the law. We must live up to it. With alliances like this, we can strengthen our initiatives to encourage and empower more people to prepare and respond to disasters. If we train and imbue a sense of country in more Filipinos from the national to barangay levels, especially in a time of disaster, we can build cooperation. At the same time, we can nurture preparedness and self-reliance. We’re going to carry our load and help each other,” said Gordon.

He highlighted the PRC’s DRRM programs in disaster preparedness and mitigation, emergency response and operations, blood services and health interventions, as well as shelter and livelihood recovery programs.

“We need partners like the PRC who can do things better than us in community-level assistance. On behalf of the OCD, I would like to thank the Philippine Red Cross for allowing this formal signing of our agreement that will help the OCD in its difficult mission of saving lives,” remarked Nepomuceno.

 MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — In a bid to strengthen its local chapters’ assets and enhance operational capacity on the ground, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has turned over new vehicles to the Albay and Camarines Sur chapters to support the implementation of the Bicol Disaster Readiness and Response Project (BDRRP). 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon led the turnover ceremony on October 10 at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City, alongside PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, American Red Cross (AmCross) Country Representative Mr. Shir Shah Ayobi, PRC Albay-Legazpi Chapter Administrator Rosiedel P. Rivero and PRC Camarines Sur Chapter Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Maria Felisa Badiola. 

The BDRRP is a joint project between the PRC and the American Red Cross (AmCross) that encompasses various learning and training activities geared to help communities and schools hone necessary knowledge and skills to prepare and respond to disasters, including first aid and basic life support, enhancing community rapport with local governments’ disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices, and establishing community feedback and response mechanisms. It also aims to develop and mobilize the volunteer base in their communities.

Gordon said it is crucial for the local chapters to have the proper transportation tools in order to deliver crucial aid and services in times of crises, and to enhance chapter capacity in disaster response. He highlighted the need for adequate assets in regions like Bicol that are considered high-risk areas. 

“We have a mantra in the Red Cross that we take to heart: ‘volunteers + logistics + information technology (IT) = a Red Cross that is always first, always ready, always there.’  We recognize the importance of having the proper tools to be truly ready when disasters strike and to teach others how to survive. More than that, we need volunteers who can be mobilized, who communities can call, and who they can trust when disasters strike. We endeavor always to harmonize our tools and manpower because we are serious about saving lives, alleviating suffering, and uplifting human dignity,” he remarked. 

Dr. Pang added that: “These vehicles will not only help our chapters transport basic necessities to people in need, but it will also take us farther in our mission to reach more people and leave no one behind. We hope to expand the project’s areas of coverage to provide aid and assistance to vulnerable communities up to the last mile. Along the way, we also aim to onboard more volunteers from communities and schools who are equipped and ready to join our mission in saving lives.” 

The first BDRRP was implemented in 2018 in Catanduanes. From this year until 2026, the project will be implemented by the Albay-Legazpi City and Camarines Sur chapters.

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) affirms its support and readiness to send aid to Lebanon following deadly airstrikes that have displaced around 1.2 million people in the country. 

“We see in the news the devastating impact of the ongoing violence in Lebanon—millions of lives disrupted, families uprooted, countless casualties and injuries, and critical healthcare and welfare services brought to a halt for the most vulnerable. In light of the ongoing situation, news of potential repatriation of Filipinos has surfaced. The PRC, through our welfare services, is prepared to extend critical assistance to returning Filipinos, ensuring they receive much-needed support during this difficult time. Though we are far, we are within reach and ready to assist,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

PRC reaffirms its commitment to upholding human dignity and alleviating suffering, continuing its mission even beyond the country’s borders.

Gordon also emphasized the shared call of the PRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the enforcement of international humanitarian law (IHL), underscoring the legal protection of civilians, children, medical workers, and humanitarian personnel during times of war or armed conflict.

He noted, “Under IHL, humanitarian teams must be protected, given safe access to provide life-saving aid, and guaranteed safe return. The Red Cross emblems must be respected by all parties to the conflict.”

“We stand in solidarity with our Red Cross counterpart in Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross, whose brave teams are fulfilling their humanitarian mission on the ground, risking their own lives to help, protect, and save others,” he added. 

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will be strengthening the capacity of the local chapter in Batanes, following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon). 

The heavy rains and strong winds from the enhanced southwest monsoon and “Julian” led to some flooding on major roads, roadblocks from fallen trees, and hundreds of totally or partially damaged houses. 

PRC first aid teams conducted roving activities to give immediate first aid to injured individuals due to the typhoon’s aftermath.

Some individuals were treated by PRC’s first aid responders, and emergency response service (ERU) units assisted people to evacuation centers. As of 12 p.m. on October 3, five evacuation centers are open in Batanes with 94 families or 306 individuals. The families who evacuated included a month-old baby and senior citizens, who were assisted by the volunteers.

Assessment is ongoing by the chapter, in partnership with the local government, to ensure the needs of people in terms of shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and welfare are met.

At present, the Batanes chapter only has a single motorcycle as its transportation asset. The national headquarters is planning to provide a pickup vehicle to the chapter, which can help the chapter mobilize volunteers and staff, as well as load essential items like relief packs to evacuation centers and other communities in-need. The PRC is also looking into potentially establishing its own building there in the future. 

“Batanes and the Babuyan Islands are always in the path of storms entering the country, so it’s vital for us to have a strong foothold there in order for our services to reach a wider range of people. We already have more than 300 RC143 volunteers in Batanes who are committed and eager to assist in times of crises. Our support for all our chapters is steadfast, and we want to do more so we can help more,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang added: “Even with limited resources, our volunteers and staff on the ground have helped communities safeguard their homes, provided first aid treatment, and distributed medication to those affected by the typhoon. We thank them for their dedication to saving lives. In return, we aim to bolster our Batanes chapter’s assets to improve their operational capacity and response efficiency.” 

Previously, the PRC delivered 1,280 CGI sheets to repair the roofs of three schools in the Calayan Islands, namely Babuyan Claro Integrated School, Dalupiri Elementary School, at Banua-Pilid Integrated School, after they were damaged by Typhoon Egay in August 2023. 

The PRC also sent relief packs, distributed clean water, as well provided shelter tool kits to help residents affected by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Batanes last July 2019. 

As of 12 p.m. today, the PRC has served hot meals to 589 individuals in evacuation centers in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra. Medicines have been distributed to 154 evacuees in Ilocos Norte, with doxycycline given to 102 people. 

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines —- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is preparing to mobilize its volunteers and deploy its assets as it braces for the Taal Volcano eruption’s impact on the nearby population on late Wednesday afternoon, October 2. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon convened an emergency meeting wherein he met with the service managers and department heads of the national headquarters, and the Batangas Chapter via virtual call to discuss the PRC’s plans of action. 

“We believe and follow in preparedness over panic. Right now, we are prepositioning our teams and assets to be ready on call should our assistance be required. Our local chapter is keeping us updated on the situation on the ground. It will be a long night for us, but rest assured, our eyes are on Batangas,” said Gordon. 

PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang also said that the chapters in neighbouring provinces have been alerted to help in potential rescue, response, and relief operations and augment Batangas chapter’s services. 

Among Batangas Chapter’s current assets are two ambulances, a water tanker, an onion tank, a hot meals van, a 6×6 truck, a rescue truck, and two rescue boats. They are also equipped with 400 basic personal protective equipment, and two water treatment units. The chapter’s branches in Lipa, Nasugbu, and Tanauan each also have their own ambulances.  

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Taal Volcano is at Alert Level 1. Under this alert level, phreatic explosions may be expected, along with volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and unhealthy fumes. 

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.