Red Cross leads relief, recovery efforts

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is leading relief and recovery efforts to areas hit by Tropical Storm Sendong over the weekend.

Recent data from the PRC revealed the number of casualties reached more than 650 with at least 900 missing.

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Supporting the PRC's response, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has donated 3,000 relief packs containing food, hygiene and basic household items in three of the worst-hit areas: Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Bukidnon.

In the initial phase of emergency assistance, the ICRC is also sending a team of specialists to respond to water-related needs in the disaster-struck areas.

“We continue to be ready to assist as needs arise,” the ICRC said in a statement.

In Cotabato City, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Archdiocese of Cotabato appealed to residents of Central Mindanao to provide assistance, in any kind, to flood victims in Northern Mindanao.

"We have had our share of floods and flood victims in the Archdiocese of Cotabato and we received a lot of support from many people there, now, it is our time to extend assistance too," said Quevedo, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.