Philippine Red Cross

‘Phil Red Cross continues to deliver life-saving aid as Kanlaon shows ongoing volcanic unrest

Written on January 6, 2025. Posted in News and Events.

NEGROS ISLAND, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to bring various humanitarian assistance to over a thousand affected individuals after Kanlaon Volcano had seven ash emissions and 28 volcanic earthquakes on New Year’s Day reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

According to the latest bulletin of PHIVOLCS (January 3, 12 a.m.), Kanlaon showed five ash emission events lasted from five to 116 minutes long, while 27 volcanic earthquakes including nine volcanic tremors lasted from 14 to 142 minutes. PHIVOLCS said the ash emissions generated 300-meter-high voluminous plumes and produced 4,861 metric tons of sulfur dioxide. The volcano remained under Alert Level 3 which indicates a high level of volcanic unrest.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon mentioned that “PRC is fully prepared as Kanlaon Volcano continues to show signs of increased activity. The PRC emergency response units, disaster management teams,WASH, health and welfare teams are now on the ground; ready to provide immediate relief, food, water, psychosocial support, medical assistance, and all necessary support to affected communities.”

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang urged the public to stay vigilant to ensure safety. She also thanked all the Red Cross staff and volunteers for their commitment to service even during the holiday season.

As of January 3, the PRC was able to deliver the following aid to vulnerable communities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental: hot meals to 24,611 individuals; bread to 3,655 individuals; child-friendly space to 1,595 children; psychological first aid to 264 people; health consultations to 625 patients; health promotion sessions to 908 persons; and vital signs monitoring and treatment to 172 patients.

It supplied 1,338,500 liters of water and hygiene promotion sessions to 727 people.

The PRC also deployed three water tankers, four ambulances, four food trucks, and a payloader; it set up 26 first aid stations and 25 welfare desks.

Additionally, face masks, bottled water and IEC materials on health were also given.

The country’s foremost humanitarian organization has been at the forefront of the disaster situation which started last year after it erupted twice on June 3 and December 9.

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL MALOLOS INC. PARTNERS WITH PH RED CROSS TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT BLOOD SUPPLY FOR VULNERABLE PATIENTS

Written on December 3, 2024. Posted in News and Events.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES – With the mission to save more lives through the provision of immediate access to safe, affordable, adequate, and quality blood supply, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos, Inc. inked a memorandum of agreement for blood supply distribution at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong on December 2.

The MOA states that the PRC will continue to provide blood to Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos, ensuring a steady blood supply for patients in need of blood transfusion to survive, especially the poor. The Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos is the new addition to the roster of partner hospitals of the PRC alongside Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Luke’s Medical Center, AC Healthway Cancer Care Center, and Manila Doctors Hospital.

“The vision is really simple: when you need blood, you must have it. Speed is the name of the game. When patients are asked to bring in more people to hospitals for their blood needs, that’s stressful; when they’re asked to pay for it, that’s even more stressful! We are in the vocation of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people so we’re easing the burden not only on patients, but their families. Hindi na nila kailangang magpunta sa amin para sa dugo, we will deliver blood to their doorsteps. Makatitipid din ang mga ospital dahil hindi na nila kailangang magbayad ng tao para kumuha ng dugo dahil kami mismo ang magdadala sa ospital. We’ve been doing blood collection for 78 years, kaya naming mag-supply ng dugo sa buong bansa,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon reiterated.

Meanwhile, Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos President and CEO Renerio Jover mentioned that “this new development that the Red Cross has envisioned is fantastic. It will help hospitals because securing blood for patients is very challenging especially if you’re far from the source. I hope you can escalate this to more hospitals in far-flung provinces.”

“Today marks another significant milestone to ensure that every patient receives the care they need. The marching order of Chairman Gordon is that no one will be turned away if they need blood. We thank the Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos for this partnership and we hope that this will inspire more hospitals to partner with us as well,” PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang added.

Prior to the MOA signing, the PRC through its Bulacan Chapter has been supplying blood to Sacred Heart Hospital Malolos. From January to November this year, the PRC provided 766 blood units to 435 patients.

PH RED CROSS EXTENDS HELP TO OVER 7K PEPITO-AFFECTED PEOPLE AMID SUCCESSIVE TYPHOON OPERATIONS

Written on November 19, 2024. Posted in News and Events.

MANDALUYONG. Philippines—In the middle of its ongoing humanitarian action for vulnerable communities affected by Tropical cyclones Kristine (Trami), Leon (Kong-Rey), Marce (Yinxing), Nika (Toraji), and Ofel (Usagi), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) extended aid to 7,040 individuals afflicted by the wrath of Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-Yi).

When Super Typhoon Pepito made its landfall on November 16, PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon immediately mobilized PRC staff and Red Cross 143 volunteers in several areas and provinces in the country.

According to the PRC Operations Center as of November 18, the PRC provided 7,040 hot meals and 431 food donations to the affected people; psychological first aid to 5,986 citizens; hygiene promotion sessions to 120 evacuees; and child-friendly space to 56 children, among others.

The PRC also distributed 20,000 liters of clean water, medicines, vitamins, and shelter-strengthening kits. PRC’s rescue vehicles were strategically prepositioned while welfare desks, health desks, and first aid stations were also set up in various locations.

“Pepito is the 16th tropical storm this year and the sixth typhoon in less than a month that hit our country. We activated our response and relief teams to assist affected communities by this super typhoon while our responses for the other five typhoons are underway. It’s not easy, but the Red Cross makes it possible,” Chairman Gordon stated.

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang assured the public that the Red Cross will continue its operations, ensuring that people have access to basic necessities like food and clean water while they’re facing the aftermath of the series of cyclones.

As of November 17, the PRC served 102,172 individuals affected by Typhoons Kristine and Leon; 3,568 people affected by Typhoon Marce; and a total of 8,682 citizens affected by Typhoons Nika and Ofel.

The PRC’s various humanitarian assistances were delivered to priority areas of Quezon, Batangas, Masbate, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.

PH RED CROSS REINFORCES RELIEF EFFORTS IN KRISTINE-HIT CAMARINES SUR, ALBAY

Written on November 5, 2024. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon and Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang personally went to vulnerable communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine (international name: Trami) in Camarines Sur and Albay as part of the PRC’s intensified relief efforts on October 30.

“Personal kaming nagtungo sa mga probinsyang ito para maipadama ang pagkalinga at pagmamahal ng Red Cross sa ating mga kababayang lubhang naapektuhan ng nagdaang Bagyong Kristine. Nagpadala tayo ng ating assets gaya ng water tankers, food trucks, amphibian, 6×6 rescue trucks, at iba pa upang maipaabot ang iba’t ibang tulong at serbisyo ng PRC. Kalunos-lunos man ang ating naging karanasan, nandito kami para magbigay pag-asa at samahan kayong bumangon,” Chairman Gordon said.

The PRC distributed hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and jerry cans to 399 families or 1,995 individuals in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Additionally, the PRC also provided hot meals and clean water for the affected residents. A health caravan was also conducted wherein the beneficiaries were given medicines and Doxycycline capsules for leptospirosis prevention.

After Naga, the PRC went straight to Brgy. Malitbog, Minalabac, CamSur and dispensed packed meals, kitchen sets, and jerry cans to 400 families or 2,500 individuals.

In the afternoon, the PRC traveled to the Brgy. Zone 4, Libon, Albay to continue its relief efforts. A total of 487 families or 2,420 individuals were provided food packs and jerry cans.

Moreover, the PRC supplied hot meals and organized a health caravan wherein the residents availed free medicines, health promotion sessions, and IEC materials.

Still in Albay, the PRC went to Brgy. Buga, Libon, and distributed kitchen sets and jerry cans to 681 households. Potable water was also provided for the affected residents.

“We are continuously appealing to our donors and sponsors because our work is not yet over. The PRC has been there for our kababayans since day one. Salamat sa ating mga masisipag na volunteers sa buong bansa na kasama natin sa labang ito,” PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang added.

The PRC’s Typhoon Kristine relief and recovery efforts in CamSur and Albay were made possible through the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Australian Embassy, the Canadian Red Cross, and New Zealand Aid.

As of October 30, the PRC served over 31,000 people in 49 affected provinces in the country under its STS Kristine operations.

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PHIL RED CROSS DISPATCHES 2ND BATCH OF HUMANITARIAN CARAVAN TO ‘KRISTINE’-HIT AREAS

Written on October 26, 2024. Posted in KristinePH, News and Events.

MANDALUYONG, Philippines—The country’s premier humanitarian organization, Philippine Red Cross (PRC), headed by its Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon dispatched the second batch of humanitarian caravan to provinces gravely affected by the Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kristine’ on October 25.

The additional assets include a ten-wheeler relief truck to be loaded with relief items, two 10,000-liter water tankers, two water treatment units, a service vehicle, and communication systems (three Starlink units and ten satellite phones).

In addition to the standard relief items, the PRC will target to provide mother and baby kits to support pregnant women and new mothers with infants affected by this disaster. These kits are essential for addressing the unique needs of mothers and babies in emergency situations, helping to ensure their health and well-being amid the crisis. A mini van containing 1,000 packs of loaf breads donated by a partner of PRC was also dispatched to Bicol.

“According to the report from our Operations Center, there are more than 68,000 families or over 300,000 individuals affected by ‘Kristine’—that’s pretty alarming. We are in the service of saving lives; alleviating the suffering of our people is our goal. That’s why I decided to send more of our assets and volunteers on the ground to serve and save many others,” said Chairman Gordon.

“We ensure the safety and well-being of our kababayans especially those in evacuation centers by providing them basic necessities like food and potable water. Malaking bagay ito dahil kahit umalis na ang bagyo, patuloy ang pangangailangan ng mga taong apektado,” PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang added.

Last October 23, the PRC mobilized its first batch of humanitarian caravan comprised of an amphibian; two food trucks; two 6×6 rescue trucks; five rubber boats; food truck; two water tankers; two water bladders; two water filtration units; a six-wheeler truck; two generator sets; a ten-wheeler relief truck with 500 sets of jerry cans, 500 kitchen sets, 500 hygiene kits, 500 sleeping kits, and emergency telecommunication units such as satellite internet and satellite phones.

As of October 25, the PRC served hot meals to over 14,450 evacuees; provided psychological first aid to 956 individuals; child-friendly activities to 691 children; rescued 428 people; hygiene promotion sessions to 1,200 individuals; and 481 patients were given medical assistance.

The PRC has set up 53 welfare desks and 27 first aid stations. PRC has provided 6,711 liters of clean water in evacuation centers and ports. Additionally, 25,000 Doxycycline capsules were distributed in the Bicol Region for leptospirosis prevention.

The above-stated humanitarian services were delivered in thirty-three (33) typhoon-ravaged provinces nationwide.

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PRC, Barilla, Marriott feed children on World Pasta Day

Written on November 22, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA – Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon expressed gratitude to Italian food company Barilla and Marriott Hotel Manila for celebrating the World Pasta Day by donating 500 bowls of nutritious pasta and 500 banana loaves to students, some of whom are Red Cross Youth, at Villamor Air Base Elementary School last October 25, 2023.

“We’ve partnered with hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and food storage facilities to provide food for the most vulnerable, whether during times of disaster or in non-disaster situations. I am grateful to all our partners for helping PRC support our most vulnerable communities,” Gordon said.

Executive Chef Meik Brammer of Marriott said that donating food to the underprivileged through the PRC is among the hotel giant’s means of addressing food wastage. Marriott Hotel is a food donor of the PRC for over 12 years, serving freshly-cooked food to over 20,000 beneficiaries.

Food donations significantly contributed to addressing two of PRC’s key advocacies: food insecurity and child malnutrition, which Gordon reiterated during his discussion at the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS) conference on November 8 in Manila.

Gordon, during his first term as a senator in 2009, authored the Republic Act No. 9803 (RA9803) or the Food Donation Act of 2009, which aims to address the country’s growing hunger problem and bring dignity back to the most vulnerable simultaneously. Under this law, donors are encouraged to donate food for charitable purposes and to reduce food wastage. Chairman Gordon explained that the donors give untouched food from buffet tables, not leftover food.

PRC’s food coordinator, Ms. Micot Juico, and PRC-Pasay City Chapter staff, Ms. Shara Mae Arceo, facilitated the food donation activity.

Capiz’s Triumph: Philippine Red Cross showcases resilience, recovery in Super Typhoon Haiyan Commemoration

Written on November 22, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized.

As the country commemorates the historic Super Typhoon Haiyan this November, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) highlights the noteworthy accomplishments of its response, recovery, and resilience programs in the affected areas. One of the worst-hit provinces was Capiz. The Philippine Red Cross shared that overall, it provided PhP448.6 million in recovery interventions in the province.

“We are globally acknowledged as one of the leading Red Cross societies. In the aftermath of the Haiyan disaster, we demonstrated our capacity to gather support from numerous Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) societies globally and effectively distribute aid to various provinces. The Haiyan incident underscored the reputation of Red Cross as a dependable organization, solidifying its position as the preferred partner,” said Richard “Dick” Gordon, Chairman and CEO of the PRC.

Aside from the PRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the German Red Cross, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Singapore Red Cross, and the Swiss Red Cross implemented the humanitarian assistance program in Capiz.

The RCRC Movement built 7,233 homes for displaced people, provided livelihood training and cash assistance to 6,945 households, built WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities in 24 schools, reconstructed or constructed 12 health facilities, and built 25 classrooms.

Dr. Gwen Pang, Secretary-General of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said that the PRC assumed control by allocating various national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to the impacted provinces and cities, implementing a coordinated intervention program.

Super Typhoon Haiyan affected over 16 million people in more than 600 municipalities and cities. It displaced more than 800,000 families. The PRC mounted a P4.9 billion recovery program, benefiting over 390,000 families across 10 provinces and cities.

Philippine Red Cross sent hot meals, aid to people affected by shearline, LPA

Written on November 21, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

MANDALUYONG, METRO MANILA – Volunteers and staff of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continue to aid families affected by the low pressure area (LPA) and the shearline that brought incessant rains over the weekend in the eastern sections of Visayas and Luzon.

The PRC – Northern Samar Chapter served hot meals to 153 individuals and set up a welfare desk and first aid station at the Polangi Evacuation Center to provide physical and mental medical attention to evacuees. In Quezon Lucena, the PRC’s first aid station monitored the blood pressure of 38 evacuees, while the PRC’s welfare desk provided psychological first aid (PFA) and facilitated child-friendly spaces for over 100 individuals.

Provision of food, water, PFA, and basic medical care constitute the standard response and rescue efforts of the PRC to reinstate evacuees’ access to essential necessities amid disruptions.

According to PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon, terrains and other areas in the affected regions are susceptible to landslides and mudslides due to the saturated soil caused by heavy rainfall. “Our payloaders are positioned for clearing operations, ensuring continuous assistance to geographically isolated areas,” he added.

As of writing, there are 12 evacuation centers in Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Masbate housing 1,460 individuals.

PH Red Cross, Partners Address Youth Unemployment; Empower Vulnerable Groups Through Skill Development Initiatives

Written on November 21, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

In September 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the employment rate among the youth, aged 15 to 24 years old, was 86.9%.

With that, 13.1% of Filipino youth were unemployed. Youth unemployment is higher than overall unemployment, which is 4.5%.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with TESDA, technical-vocational schools, and the Spanish Red Cross, is making strides in helping the youth and other vulnerable groups gain skills for employment or self-employment. The PRC project covers the tuition fees for the beneficiaries and also provides them with meals and transportation allowances.

“We are committed to assisting the youth and other vulnerable groups among our kababayans in finding employment or engaging in self-employment,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon.

On 13 November 2023, 54 youth and members of other vulnerable groups from Manila, Caloocan, and Pasay received their certificates from TESDA for completing courses such as baking, housekeeping, and caregiving. The graduation ceremony was held at Manila Atelier of Food Arts and Hospitality, Inc. in UN Avenue, Ermita Manila.

“The primary goal of PRC’s Employment Project is to enhance the connectedness of urban poor communities to better access economic opportunities,” explained the PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang.

PRC sends EMS personnel to aid people affected by 6.8 earthquake that hit Sarangani, Davao Occidental

Written on November 17, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon convened the PRC team today to plan the humanitarian organization’s response to communities affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Sarangani, Davao Occidental and neighboring provinces at 4:14 pm today.

As of writing, the PRC’s emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, Red Cross 143 volunteers, and assets are deployed to provide EMS to affected students from Holy Trinity Junior High and Golden State College, and other affected communities.

“PRC volunteers and staff are on the ground assessing the needs of communities. We are mobilizing our volunteers in the affected barangays to ensure that reports are transmitted to our Operations Center immediately. In this way, we can immediately provide humanitarian assistance to those affected,” said Chairman Gordon.

According to reports from the PRC Davao Del Sur Chapter, the earthquake caused power outages in Digos City. Alberto Olarte Sr. National High School in Sarangani and two malls in Koronadal and General Santos City suffered from collapsed ceilings and broken glasses. A construction crane in Davao City with a block of cement also collapsed.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake’s depth of focus was 10 kilometers. PRC Davao del Sur Chapter reported that in Digos City, strong shaking lasted for 10 seconds.

Photo: Damages in Alberto Olarte Sr. National High School in Mabila, Sarangani, Davao Occidental (photo from Red Cross 143 volunteer Shyluck Regino)

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