Red Cross seeks volunteers in relief efforts for provinces hit by Nona

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) urged the public, on Wednesday, to volunteer in the relief efforts for the recovery of the provinces ravaged by Typhoon “Nona,” as it announced that it has already provided hot meals to around 1,000 affected families.

PRC Chair Richard Gordon said that since Christmas was just a few days away, this would be “the best time to send holiday cheers to the affected families by volunteering to the Red Cross in bringing help” to the typhoon-affected areas. He added that those who would volunteer could help in repairing the survivors’ damaged homes.

As of Wednesday, the PRC’s Operations Center said that around 1.2 million people, or 270,676 families, had been affected by the typhoon in Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Palawan, Samar Island and the Bicol region. It added that more than 156,000 houses have been damaged by the storm, forcing more than 10,700 individuals to stay in 70 evacuation centers.

“We are continuing to gather reports from our chapters and assessment teams so we can immediately know the pressing needs of the affected population and send the assistance that each particular area badly needs,” Gordon said in a statement.

To date, he said that the PRC has provided hot meals to around 1,000 families and has set up assistance desks to help families find and contact their loved ones. He added that they have also provided medical assistance to the typhoon survivors.

He noted that they would send the affected provinces sleeping kits and food relief packs. Currently, more than 200 PRC personnel and volunteers have been deployed to assist in the relief efforts in the various provinces.

For details on how you can send donations to the victims through the humanitarian organization, call 7902300.  SFM