MANILA -- The Philippine Red Cross on Saturday said it is set to deploy another batch of rescue and relief teams to cater to the needs of communities in areas hit by typhoon "Ompong."
In a press briefing in Mandaluyong City, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon said strong winds and storm surges were the main challenges faced by their teams while conducting relief operations in some areas.
“The water created damages on the corn fields and rice fields, but we’re still checking on the piggeries and poultries. We also (recorded) around 30 percent of damage on homes, they have partial damages like their roofs and walls,” he said.
Gordon said many areas suffer from power outage so their regional chapters have acquired generators which could provide electricity to ensure communications for emergencies.
“Around 51,000 plus are already in the evacuation centers as per data of DSWD (Department of Social Work and Development), all of them were supplied with enough food by the government, so we [Red Cross] provide non-food items kasi marami sa kanila walang banig, damit (because many among them don’t have mats, clothes), toothbrush, etc.,” he said.
In connection with this, Gordon ordered the deployment of PRC’s two mobile kitchens, a 6x6 truck and a plastic boat to Northern Luzon to augment the ongoing operations there.
On Thursday, PRC deployed a humanitarian caravan which includes a 10,000-liter tanker, four 10-wheeler trucks, one six-wheeler truck, four generator sets, a payloader, a mobile kitchen, a Humvee with a rescue boat and a 6x6 truck.
While PRC coordinates with local government units (LGUs) and government agencies to get real-time updates, Gordon lauded their efforts in evacuating many people even before the typhoon came.
“Pinupuri ko ang (I praise the) LGUs, they have done a terrific job in moving people out, I’m happy with the NDRRMC, they helped out and the cabinet of President Duterte… a lot of people are working hard and this is what they should talk about not facing the blame but facing the problem,“ he said.
“As I told CNN and BBC last night, the Philippines has gotten better in reacting and in terms of preparation, but the challenge is the storms have gotten bigger, disasters are getting bigger, so lahat tayo magtulungan tayo (all of us, let’s help) to alleviate the suffering of other people,” he added.
To date, PRC has provided hot meals to 700 individuals, biscuits to 1,378 individuals and thermal blankets to nine individuals. Meanwhile, PRC provided blood pressure reading to 24 individuals. (PNA)
