Gordon to lead PRC relief efforts in Cagayan, Isabela

Under Gordon, the PRC has carried out multiple response and relief efforts with Disaster Management Services augmenting its operations, marshaling the organization’s available services from rescue to response and relief, to help Cagayan and Isabela residents who are in a hazardous situation after “Ulysses” and the release of water from dams submerged parts of the Cagayan Valley region. (File Photo: Dick Gordon/Facebook)

MANILA – Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon, will visit Typhoon Ulysses-hit Cagayan and Isabela to personally assess the damage and lead relief efforts for affected residents.

“Our response is always fast – for speed is the name of the game. We rush and double our efforts after all disasters came one after another,” Gordon said in a news release issued on Thursday.

Under Gordon, the PRC has carried out multiple response and relief efforts with Disaster Management Services augmenting its operations, marshaling the organization’s available services from rescue to response and relief, to help Cagayan and Isabela residents who are in a hazardous situation after “Ulysses” and the release of water from dams submerged parts of the Cagayan Valley region.

The PRC has deployed a humanitarian caravan to Cagayan and Isabela to intensify the rescue and relief efforts.

“Based on the initial assessment done by our volunteers and staff, this caravan, composed of rescue vehicles, equipment, relief items, and manpower, will strengthen our response to the ongoing operations,” Gordon said.

The caravan consisted of a 10,000-liter water tanker, a food truck, an ambulance, a rescue boat, a Land Cruiser for assessment, and two 10-wheeler trucks for non-food items, as well as 500 sleeping kits, jerry cans, and hygiene tarpaulins.

It was manned by 17 persons, including a five-man water search and rescue team.

More help on the way

Among the services the PRC made available is the provision of hot meals to 2,193 persons.

“Our relief operations are real-time. We always ensure that aside from rescue, relief is provided after, for we know that under such circumstances, these people are hit hard and left with nothing,” Gordon said.

Aside from rescue and food relief, the PRC provided psychosocial first aid to the affected residents.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remains a big threat, it distributed 406 face masks to the affected communities in and all relief operations are properly reviewed to lessen the risk of virus infections.

“The Philippine Red Cross will pursue helping the affected until they get back on their feet. More help is definitely on the way,” Gordon assured.

In its overall relief operations nationwide, the PRC was able to provide hot meals to 31,227 individuals, along with 5,149 face masks and 470 face shields.

Some 570 families and 4,239 individuals received hygiene kits and have undergone a hygiene promotion lecture.

For its psychological assistance, the PRC helped 1,973 individuals, with 1,475 children benefiting from a child-friendly set-up and activities.