Philippine Red Cross

Gordon on Red Cross’ Marawi operations: ‘We are not into handouts’

Written on June 4, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reaffirmed its commitment to boost the recovery efforts for people displaced by the 2017 conflict in Marawi by providing access to income-generating activities.

In a field visit last June 3, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon announced that the organization will provide sewing machines to over a hundred affected households as an effort to restore livelihood sources.

“The Red Cross is not just about deploying medical tents and providing relief. We are not a handout society. The Red Cross is an organization that enables. This is why it is important that we help people restore their livelihood sources,” Gordon said.

This statement was echoed by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer, who is in the country for an official mission, noting that the organization will also continue to address humanitarian concerns of people affected by conflicts.

“Just like Chairman Gordon, I believe in the importance of empowering people and helping people help themselves. This is a philosophy that we both strongly adhere to. We will continue to do so until the parents can go back to work and the children can go back to school,” Maurer said.

Since day one of the Marawi siege, PRC has been closely working with ICRC to assist the affected communities from relief to recovery.

The joint early recovery operations provided livelihood and shelter repair assistance for a total of 6,014 families from the most affected areas, including over 2,000 returnees who used the P10,000-cash grant to start small businesses.

In Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, the PRC conducted hygiene-promotion activities and mobilized a network of volunteers to support the ICRC’s improvement of a water and sanitation facility that would benefit between 6,000 to 11,000 residents and displaced people.

PRC and ICRC will continue recovery efforts until the people get back on their feet.

PRC reminds public to prepare ahead of rainy season

Written on June 2, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) braces for the rainy season as it welcomes the month of June.

True to its mantra “Logistics + Volunteers + Information Technology= a Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, Always There,” the PRC is all set to respond to any emergency that may arise due to heavy rains and floods.

PRC advises the public to uphold the organization’s 4Ps—Predict, Plan, Prepare and Practice.

“We urge the public to be more cautious this rainy season. The Philippines sits across the typhoon belt making it prone to powerful storms. We should always be prepared. Everyone should have a 72-hour safety kit which contains food, water, emergency tools, medicines, money and important documents,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

“We should also maintain proper hygiene and sanitation to avoid acquiring common diseases during this season such as leptospirosis, dengue fever, cholera, sore eyes, diarrhea, colds and flu,” Gordon added.

The PRC 143 volunteers in every barangay regularly conducts an evacuation drill to make sure that every person in the community is safe from different calamities they might encounter during rainy season. Flashfloods, landslides, and accidents due to fallen trees and huge billboards are possible during this time.

PRC’s response and rescue equipment are strategically positioned for quick response. PRC’s warehouses are also well-stocked with food and basic household items in anticipation of relief operations.

All PRC volunteers are reminded to practice 4 R’s- report, record, respond and recognize.

For emergencies, contact our 24/7 Operations Center. Dial 143 or 790-23-00 for assistance.

Assets to mobilize:

2000 staff and volunteers

150 ambulances

9 Hotmeals on Wheels

55 Rescue boats

5 Rescue trucks

101 Generator sets and tower lights

7 Payloaders

8 six by six trucks

2 Amphibians

Red Cross’ Marawi recovery program in full effect; aids 6,000 families

Written on May 22, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

TWO YEARS after the Marawi siege, the early recovery program of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has enabled over 6,000 displaced families to build new homes and start income-generating activities.

The P30.1-million project, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), covered household livelihood and shelter repair assistance for a total of 6,014 families from the most affected areas.

“When we help, we don’t just give. It is important that we also empower. When we visited the people of Marawi in 2017, we told them ‘Babangon tayo’ and we remained committed to this mission. Two years after the siege, this commitment has shown results,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

A total of 2,307 returnees to 16 barangays received P10,000-household livelihood assistance from PRC and ICRC.

PRC’s Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) report shows the majority of the beneficiaries used the capital for small businesses, such as sari-sari stores, retail shops, and eateries. Others ventured into transportation (tricycle, habal-habal), construction and carpentry, fishing, farming, and casual labor.

The PDM report also shows that 98 percent of the household livelihood assistance recipients’ main income source came from the Red Cross.

The Red Cross also distributed shelter toolkits to 3,792 families, inclusive of 1,385 families from 11 evacuation centers in Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte and 2,407 households from three Kambalingan barangays.

The shelter materials were used to repair roofs and walls, as well as to expand their houses for livelihood activities.

“We also established our Red Cross 143 program for community volunteers to help us respond to disasters and emergencies quickly. This is how we attain resilience,” Gordon added.

PRC also continues to provide safe and clean water to communities in evacuation centers. Since 2017, 29,514,700 liters of water have been served in 26 barangays and evacuation centers.

In December 2017, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur recognized the Red Cross for being one of the first to provide humanitarian assistance.

When the conflict broke out on May 23, 2017, Gordon mobilized the staff and volunteers from the nearby PRC Chapters and immediately deployed first aid, welfare, relief, and hygiene promotion teams.

PRC, with the support of ICRC, also set up a basic healthcare unit to ensure the health of evacuees.

PRC aids nearly 13,000 during election day

Written on May 16, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) brought aid to a total of 12,766 individuals during the National and Local Elections, including those who needed to be transported due to fainting and suspected stroke.

PRC set up 310 first aid stations and 158 welfare desks, which helped ensure the safety and well-being of thousands of Filipino voters.

“To vote is one of the duties of each and every Filipino. To serve the people is the duty of the Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers. As our fellow Filipinos were busy casting their votes, PRC staff and volunteers were also very much occupied attending to the needs of our fellowmen. Our staff and volunteers have intense compassion to the most vulnerable,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

A total of 2,000 staff and volunteers were deployed, while 150 ambulances were mobilized and put on standby.

Throughout the day, PRC provided blood pressure monitoring to 12,535 persons to ensure their well-being following the long queues at voting precincts.

Staff and volunteers provided first aid to 132 patients who experienced minor cases, such as dizziness, abrasion, open wound, fever, cramps, burns, hyperventilation and body weakness.

A total of 19 persons were treated for breathing difficulties, seizure, numbness, and blurred vision, while nine patients were transported to hospitals for additional medical care.

PRC also setup welfare desks, which provided psychosocial support and referral service to 65 people and provided wheelchair assistance to six voters.

In San Juan, a PRC volunteer carries a 96-year-old voter up to the third floor in San Juan Elementary School.

In Baguio, in a non-election related incident, PRC together with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) rescued and provided first aid treatment to a patient who suffered chemical inhalation and suffocation while painting a water tank. He was then transported to the nearest hospital for further medical attention.

The Philippine Red Cross is noted for excellence in giving first aid treatment and providing blood. It is equally noted for excellence in disaster relief, psychosocial and other humanitarian services. It is the foremost humanitarian organization in the country. All this is in keeping with its mantra: Volunteers + logistics + information technology = always first, always ready, always there.

Summary of Assistance:

Total patients catered: 2019: 12,766 persons

Total patients catered: 2016: 11,817 persons

Breakdown as follows: Blood pressure monitoring –12,535 persons Transported to medical facilities – 9 persons (fainting, suspected stroke, stomach pain) Major case- 19 persons (elevated blood pressure, difficulty of breathing, seizure, numbness, blurred vision)

Minor case- 132 persons (dizziness, abrasion, open wound, fever, cramps, burns, hyperventilation, body weakness) Welfare- 71 persons (55 Psychosocial support, 10 referral, 6 wheelchair assistance)

Assets deployed:

150 ambulances

158 welfare desks

310 first aid stations

42 emergency vehicles

PRC all set for 2019 National and Local Elections

Written on May 10, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will mobilize 150 ambulances and 2000 staff and volunteers all over the country for the 2019 National and local midterm elections in pursuit of its objective to safeguard its countrymen.

“We want to make sure that each and every citizen of the Philippines is safe and sound while exercising their right to vote. To secure their well-being, we will put up first aid stations, welfare desks, emergency vehicles and mobile units (roving teams) in schools and local chapters duty during the election day. In PRC our mantra is volunteers + logistics + information technology = always first, always ready, always there. PRC is committed in providing services for the interest of mankind,” said Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman and CEO of PRC.

The Philippine Red Cross will set up 310 first aid stations and 158 welfare desks, will deploy and standby 150 ambulances and 42 emergency vehicles in strategic areas.

PRC assisted more than 11,000 people during the 2016 National Election.

Philippine Red Cross stands as a “voluntary, independent and autonomous non-governmental society auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the humanitarian field.”

Since its founding 72 years ago, PRC has been serving humanity. The organization provides services in the areas of disaster management, blood collection and dispensing, welfare, safety, health and hygiene. It also maintains a corps of volunteers and trained youth.

For emergency and any untoward incidents, contact our 24/7 Operations Center. Dial 143 or 790-23-00 for assistance.

Gordon, Red Cross brace for new services; Honors humanitarian partners

Written on May 10, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is exploring new programs and services to address the humanitarian challenges in the country, especially in the area of health.

Chairman Richard Gordon revealed plans to enhance its newly opened Dialysis Center to accommodate more patients.

“We are planning on strengthening our Dialysis Center so more poor Filipinos can acquire affordable and adequate dialysis treatments,” Gordon said.

He added that the Red Cross is also looking at opening a diagnostics center to provide access to quality healthcare to the poor.

“Ito ay para makakuha ng diagnostics services ang mga mahihirap gaya ng CT scan at ICU. We got into different services because the humanitarian challenges in this country require us to be dynamic. This is why we opened our first Dialysis Center because it is hard to say no to the most vulnerable,” Gordon said.

As of today, the Dialysis Center, which had its soft opening last February, has now provided 14 patients with 350 dialysis treatments.

Gordon made the statement during the joint celebration of the 72nd anniversary of PRC and the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, where the organization recognized its partners for their contribution to the organization’s services.

The Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award is given to Chinese General Hospital President and PRC Governor James Dy for consistently supporting the organization’s programs in on various occasions.

During the measles outbreak when Metro Manila hospitals were badly in need of space for patient care, PRC set up field medical units using beds and mattresses donated by Governor James Dy.

The Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal Award, which was named after the first chairman of PRC, was awarded to former President Fidel V. Ramos; Michael Chen, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Minavida de Mindanao Corporation; Clement Yang, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Medtecs International Corporation Ltd.; and Vicente Cuevas III, president of CAMJ Construction Inc.

Ramos was given recognition for actively promoting voluntary blood donation including his own regular donation. Through his pronouncements, he helped ensure adequate blood supply in the country. Cheng and Cuevas provided aircraft services to enable PRC to deliver timely services during disasters and emergencies, while Yang provided linens for the organization’s measles crisis operations, as well as body bags which made management of the remains of those who perished in the aftermath of Yolanda more humane.

“No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gives,” said Dy, quoting Calvin Coolidge as he shared his experience and inspiration in doing humanitarian work with for PRC. “I would like to thank Gordon for bringing me here to PRC. Thank you for your trust.”

During the occasion, PRC also recognized over 400 staff members and officers who have served the organization for five to 42 years.

IN PHOTOS

World Red Cross Day: PRC salutes volunteers, partners’ love for humanity

Written on May 9, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The volunteers and staff of the Philippine Red Cross are celebrating the humanitarian organization’s unique relationship with communities across the Philippines, the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

Sen. Richard Gordon, PRC Chairman and CEO, said the volunteers and staff are hard at work every day to address the needs of people hit by disasters and emergencies.

“To our kababayans, let us all thank the unsung heroes of our country—the Red Cross volunteers—and work hand in hand with them to help build resilience in most vulnerable communities. Today, we celebrate the difference they make. Responding to catastrophes of all kinds, changing the lives of the people they serve and helping people to live safely and with dignity,” Gordon said.

This year’s World RCRC Day carries the theme “Love”—honoring the bravery and achievements of volunteers and staff, whose life-saving and life-changing services ensure that we keep our commitment to humanity every day.

The 156th World RCRC Day coincides with the extended celebration 72nd anniversary of the PRC with the theme, “Resilience,” which recognizes staff and volunteers’ commitment to help people to prepare for, cope with, and recover from a disaster or crisis.

PRC extends humanitarian services to millions of Filipinos every year with a diverse range of services tailored to the needs of communities across the Philippines. PRC’s major services are Disaster Management, Blood, Safety, Welfare, Health, and Red Cross Youth.

“Whether natural or human-made disasters, armed conflict or health and social care issues, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff are there to help, without any discrimination,” Gordon said.

PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla said: “The Red Cross has been serving the people of the Philippines even before it was formally established in 1947. “We are everywhere for everyone. This is our commitment to you and our commitment to humanity.”

PRC as partner of choice

The joint celebration of the PRC anniversary and the World RCRC Day also honors partners who supported the organization’s programs and operations.

The Aurora Aragon Quezon Award will once again be bestowed to five volunteer partners who showed exceptional dedication to the causes of PRC. The awardees are:

• Former President Fidel Ramos – For actively promoting voluntary blood donation during and after his presidency

• Dr. James Dy, President of Chinese General Hospital – For supporting the PRC’s programs, including his recent donation of beds and mattresses to be used in measles care units

• Michael Chen, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Minavida de Mindanao Corporation – For providing free aircraft services, which contributed to PRC’s effort to deliver timely services in disaster-stricken services

• Vicente Cuevas – For providing free aircraft services on several occasions, such as for PRC’s operations in Ompong-hit communities

• Clement Yang – For providing fast and effective assistance, especially for PRC’s Haiyan operations and Measles crisis response

A posthumous award is also awarded to businessman Dominic Sytin, who donated a firetruck, a water tanker, and an ambulance, which are now being used to address the needs in local communities.

PRC as a donor National Society

The Philippine Red Cross helps all nations, equally showing and giving love around the world. Following the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, PRC sent emergency response personnel and medical doctors and nurses to assist Nepal Red Cross’ operations.

As a donor society, PRC has sent more than US $2.5 million in donations to some of the biggest calamities:

2005

• US $25,000 – Hurricane Katrina

2006

• US $10,000 – Earthquake, Pakistan

• US $85,000 – Indonesia, two years after it was struck by Tsunami

2008

• US $20,000 – Earthquake, Sichuan, China

• US $15,000 – Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar

2011

• US $2.4 million – Aid to Japan after a powerful Tsunami

2014

• US $25,000 – Armed conflict, Gaza

2015

• US $37,000 – Nepal Earthquake

About the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are as diverse as the life-saving and life-changing services they provide through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: 190 National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

In 2019, National Societies around the world celebrate 100 years of the IFRC, which was founded by the Red Cross societies of France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the United States of America. IFRC – originally known as the League of Red Cross Societies, was created to preserve, share and promote the expertise and knowledge gained during humanitarian responses to the First World War and the Spanish Flu epidemic. A century later, the IFRC network has 190 National Societies with even more in the future.

PRC salutes blood donation partners anew

Written on May 2, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

PRC has been known for its commitment to save lives—and one of the ways to save life is to provide blood to someone who needs it. Holding a bloodletting event is a great way to collect blood.

Thus, this April, which is a lean month for blood donations, the Philippine Red Cross held various bloodletting activities in cooperation with Dunkin Donuts, Radio Mindanao Network Foundation and Energy FM 106.7. A total of 213 units of blood were collected from different donors.

“I am very thankful to our blood partners and donors for their continuous support for our blood programs. Through their help, we can keep up with the increasing demand for blood. Blood is essential to life,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

PRC blood collection is a meticulous process from education and recruitment of donors, actual collection, blood testing, preparing blood products and quality assurance. This ensures that available blood is safe for transfusion.

“A blood donation by one person can save up to four lives,” said PRC National Blood Services Director Dr. Christie Monina M. Nalupta during her interview with RMN-DZXL 558.

Qualified blood donors receive a donor’s card, refreshments, small tokens and a heartfelt thank you.

The Philippine Red Cross has 89 blood service facilities all over the country. Through PRC, blood is within everybody’s reach—from Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao.

For blood donations and other blood concerns, dial 143 or 790-23-00.

Red Cross assists Chuzon employees, Aeta community

Written on April 26, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to assist communities affected by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake in Porac, Pampanga, including the displaced indigenous people and the survivors of the Chuzon supermarket collapse.

PRC, led by Chairman Richard Gordon, partnered with the Department of Health to provide psychosocial support to the survivors, mostly employees of Chuzon, and bereaved families of the strong earthquake.

“It is important that we work together in this time of need. The Red Cross is supporting government efforts to alleviate the suffering of people who lost their friends and families and the population who were forced to flee their homes regardless of their race,” Gordon said.

PRC’s welfare teams have conducted psychosocial support to 20 employees of Chuzon supermarket and 12 survivors currently admitted at Julio B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando.

A group of volunteers, headed by Deputy Secretary General Dr. Susan Mercado, also reached out to the displaced Aeta community in Porac last April 24 by providing welfare services to 55 families (207 individuals).

“The Aetas refuse to stay in any type of concrete evacuation center as they are traumatized by the shaking. There are also those with pre-existing mental health issues who are further triggered into depression and anxiety,” Mercado said in a Facebook post.

Today, the Red Cross is at Sitio Pasubul, Brgy. Camias in Porac to distribute hygiene kits to 60 indigenous families to protect them from infections and diseases. Red Cross also provides psychosocial support to indigenous people.

“We focus on the immediate needs of the most vulnerable and we will continue to provide services with the support of our volunteers and donors,” Gordon said.

PRC local chapter earlier provided hot meals to 450 individuals at the Aeta Market evacuation center.

Red Cross joins search and rescue in Porac; appeals to take earthquake drills seriously

Written on April 23, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deployed manpower and rescue vehicles to assist in the search and rescue operations in a collapsed supermarket in Porac, Pampanga following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Luzon on Monday.

Data from the PRC Operations Center shows that as of 7am, 24 individuals are still missing while 69 suffered injuries. PRC mobilized 30 manpower equipped with two ambulance units, two rescue vehicles, a generator set, and a tower light.

PRC also provided body bags to facilitate proper management of bodies retrieved in the incident site.

“We are all together. Red Cross continues the search and rescue operations for the missing individuals at Chuzon Supermarket. We deployed our assets from nearby chapters to provide additional manpower in affected areas. No one shall be left behind,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

Gordon also urged business owners to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the crowd.

“Be mindful of the safety of the people in your establishments. Business owners should inspect and double check the safety of their establishments to avoid putting people in dangerous situations,” he added.

Red Cross also advises the public to take earthquake drills seriously to prevent major casualties and take note of the following measures before, during, and after an earthquake.

Before checklist

• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances with wall studs.
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture with wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.

During – if indoors

• Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible and watch for falling objects.
• It is most important to keep your head and torso covered. If you’re sitting at a desk or table, get under it. Otherwise drop wherever you are.
• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on, protecting your head with a pillow.
• Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must go outside after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case of aftershocks, power outages or other damages.
• Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

During – if you are outside

Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).

During – if you are in a vehicle

• Pull over to a clear location and stop.
• Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible.
• Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
• Then, drive carefully avoiding bridges and ramps that might have been damaged.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes and cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris.
• Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

After

• If away from home, return only when authorities say it’s safe to do so.
• Be prepared for aftershocks. If you feel one, drop cover and hold on.
• Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
• Open cabinets slowly. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas in and around your home.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
• Check for gas leaks to prevent fires and secondary damage. Spray the fittings on your gas meter and any fittings on gas appliances with a mixture of water and a little liquid dish soap. If it bubbles, there is gas present.
• Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.

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