PH Red Cross staff, volunteers go to Typhoon Odette-hit areas to offer aid

Photo for Philippine Red Cross

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed its staff as well as volunteers to areas devastated by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), said to be the most powerful storm to hit the country this year.

PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon led the deployment of a “humanitarian caravan” to Surigao del Norte and Bohol on December 17. The caravan was composed of two food trucks, a water tanker, an ambulance, a payloader, a six-wheeler truck containing shelter tool kits and a generator set, and a 6×6 truck.

“Walang pagod at handang tumulong ang ating mga Red Cross staff at volunteers upang mas mapabilis ang ating pagresponde sa mga nasalanta ng Typhoon Odette,” Gordon said in a statement.

Photo for Philippine Red Cross

Volunteers and staff were likewise deployed in Cebu, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental and Surigao del Norte to help in the clearing operations and distribution of meals to families affected by Typhoon Odette.

The PRC said clearing operations—including removal of falling debris that blocked roads—are ongoing in Cebu as well as distribution of water in the evacuation centers in Naga.

Clearing, as well as search and rescue operations, were likewise ongoing in Southern Leyte and Bohol, said PRC.

Aside from these, PRC said it is also targeting to distribute food items and potable water to 250 families in Brgy. Colorado and Poblacion in Agusan del Norte.