DOH: Clean water crucial for Kristine evacuees

MANILA, Philippines — Respiratory ailments like cough and colds are on the rise in evacuation centers still packed with families displaced by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Tuesday, as he stressed the need to keep them supplied with clean, potable water.

Herbosa reported on the shelter conditions as the death toll from Kristine reached 125, according to an update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday.

At least 28 people were still missing, while 115 sustained injuries in the widespread flooding and landslides caused by the storm last week.

READ: Agricultural damage due to Kristine climbs to P3.11B

The council said the affected population totaled 7.13 million people or 1.789 families, across 17 regions.

Most of them were in the Bicol region (2,746,214), followed by Central Luzon (1,056,460), and Calabarzon, or the region composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (701,985).

Half-million still in shelters

As of Tuesday, 531,387 people, or 121,814 families, were still in evacuation centers.

A total of 83,777 houses were destroyed or partially damaged.

Herbosa said teams from the Department of Health deployed at the shelters had monitored the prevalence of acute respiratory infection especially among children. The evacuees were thus advised to wear face masks.

US, Chinese aid

“We have to ensure that the people in evacuation centers have access to potable or safe water for drinking. Our teams are giving Aquatabs (water purification tablets) to families to ensure that their water is safe to drink,” he added.

Meanwhile, the US government has allocated $1.5 million, or about P84 million, in humanitarian aid for Kristine’s victims.

“Through this funding, USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance,” the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday.

USAID is also offering logistical support for managing evacuation centers, it added.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila reported its ongoing collaboration with local Chinese communities and businesses for the relief effort.

These partners have donated nearly P5 million for families affected by Kristine in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes, it said. —with reports from Dexter Cabalza, Nestor Corrales and Jane Bautista