by Teresita Usapdin in Manila, pictures by Romulo Godinez
More than 100,000 families still reeling from four successive typhoons that ravaged the Philippines late last year are being given a fresh start after the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) got its rehabilitation effort into full swing.
PNRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon said 3,500 families whose houses were destroyed would be provided with construction materials to enable them rebuild their houses.
These families are from the worst hit provinces of Aurora, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Mindoro Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Qurino and Bulacan.
Each family will be provided with galvanized iron sheets, marine plywood, wooden boards, nails, hammer, saws, and other tools and materials worth about US$ 184.
Another 150 families from Quezon Province will be given complete permanent shelters worth more than US$ 1,400 each, according to Gordon. The Red Cross will also provide agricultural tools, seeds and fishing nets to improve the livelihoods of 1,000 typhoon-affected families in Quezon and Aurora.
A total of 90,000 affected families will receive food rations, including of rice, tins of sardines and packets of noodles.
Another 32,000 families who were less affected will each receive 5 kilos of rice, 3 tins of sardines, 5 packs of noodles, 2 tins of meat loaf and 2 tins of pork and beans.
The Red Cross is also providing family starter kits, comprising cutlery, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, plastic mats, blankets and water containers. In addition, the PNRC will provide medicines and other health assistance to some 7,000 families.
Hand-in-hand with the rehabilitation effort is the continued psychological support for the typhoon-stricken people. The Red Cross is also organizing training for the affected communities in first aid and disaster management as a way of reducing disaster risks and developing self-reliance among the people.
Gordon thanked the supporters and donors from the local and international communities who paved the way for the massive emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Red Cross.
The PNRC has so far received a total of US$ 1.7 million from local donors, including corporations and individuals, as well as from the diplomatic community, governments and various Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the International Federation.
In addition, the PNRC got various in-kind donations including two Ford vehicles from Ford Philippines, Inc. It also received pledges totalling US$ 2.8 million from various supporters, local and international.
Gordon also extended his appreciation to the more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly, especially during the height of the disaster.
Right after the disasters struck in November and December last year, PNRC extended initial relief assistance to more than 66,000 families, treated 719 injured, gave health assistance to more than 1,000 patients, psychological support to 2,000 people and helped in the tracing of 107 missing persons.