Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Aid continues to pour from Red Cross

BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, June 17 (PIA) — As the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) continues its humanitarian response to the typhoon hard-hit towns in the province, they bring with them a spark of hope to the people struggling against their plight with the typhoon Pablo aftermath.

Together with delegates from the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Society, the PNRC spearheaded by its Chairman Richard J. Gordon early this month distributed to more than 300 residents of Brgy. Bobonao in Baganga town assorted relief goods comprising of food, hygiene kits, rice, oil, and sugar, among other basic household essentials as part of the joint ICRC-Philippine National Red Cross Relief Operation catering all affected towns and barangays in the province.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon thanked the interventions of the ICRC and the PNRC along with the UAE Red Crescent for extending help in the province’s desperate times.  “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our good chairman for being one of the first to come to our assistance, for being there for us during our most difficult times and for showing us compassion and for inspiring hope in the hearts of our people,” said Governor Malanyaon.

“Disaster in our country is not so familiar to us. That is why it is most important that in debacles like this, we start together and get together right away. We should be helping each other,” said Chairman Gordon during his visit here recently. He underscored the importance of inculcating to oneself the value of assuming responsibility while discouraging dependence. “Instead of just relying on other’s help, we should learn to stand on our own,” he said stressing a warning against idleness and mendicancy.

Despite losing in the recent senatorial elections Chairman Gordon assured the people of Baganga and Davao Oriental that he will continue his advocacy in bridging assistance to those who might need them considering that a seat in the political arena is not the only opportunity in extending aid and be of service to people.

Meanwhile, over 228 million pesos worth of assistance have already been extended by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)in the province of Davao Oriental alone for the provision of food, water, shelter, among other assistance, divulged PNRC Chairman Richard Gordon during the Red Cross Relief Operation in Baganga, one of the hard hit areas of the province. Overall, the ICRC-PNRC has shelled out more than 600 million pesos worth assistance to all typhoon-affected areas including the province of Compostela Valley.

The Red Cross Community society caters all 18 villages in the town of Baganga as well as all barangays on other affected towns such as Cateel and Boston. They were also one of the first responders to come to the province’s aid.

Among the assistance provided by the Red Cross in the province include provision of food and safe water, repair and rehabilitation of water facilities, rural health units. They were also involved in the rehabilitation of the Cateel District Hospital as well as barangay health stations. They were also engaged on community-based health interventions throughhygiene promotion and provision of hygiene kits, community trainings, cash for work activities, and embarks on recovery program in shelter and livelihood, among others. (Karen Lou Deloso-PIO Davao Oriental)

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