4,840 ‘Odette’ victims in Surigao receive cash aid from DSWD

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian helps in handing out cash assistance to Typhoon Odette victims on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Photo from DSWD Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday distributed cash aid to disaster victims in Surigao Del Norte, including  4,840 victims affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in 2021.

This is part of the DSWD’s Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program to give beneficiaries assistance to support the victims’ recovery.

SOcial Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that recovery from a disaster like Odette is a slow process that “sometimes it takes months, sometimes it takes years.”

“Nandito ang DSWD para tumulong ulit at makadagdag pa sa kailangan ninyo para sa repairs ng inyong mga bahay, said Gatchalian.

(The DSWD is here to help you and to help provide for your needs for house repairs.)

According to the DSWD’s statement, those not assisted by the National Housing Authority received P10,000 while those who were already helped by the agency received P5,000.

Odette devastated the country during the holiday season of 2021, with at least 407 people losing their lives to the calamity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

READ: Typhoon Odette death toll climbs to 407 as of Jan. 1 – NDRRMC

“Sigurado ang pagbangon ninyo ay tuloy tuloy at hindi nagtatapos sa araw na ito,” said the DSWD secretary.

(Rest assured that you will be assisted until your full recovery and that does not end today.)

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JPV