By Jose Cielito Reganit
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already released a total of 1,278,276 family food packs (FFPs) as it continues its relief operations for communities hit by the successive weather disturbances in July.
In a statement Friday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said these food provisions, alongside non-food items needed in evacuation centers, were released to 18 regions affected by Tropical Cyclones Crising (international name Wipha), Dante (Francisco), and Emong (Co-May), and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
“Most of the food boxes or 386,455 went to Central Luzon, which was submerged in floodwaters. There are still areas that are submerged up to now and a lot of people are still inside evacuation centers. We are making sure that our assistance is continuous with the help of our FOs,” Dumlao said.
Based on the latest report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), a total of 18,050 families or 66,843 persons are still taking temporary shelter in 695 evacuation centers in the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
More than 5,000 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes have been provided to stranded passengers at the height of the sea travel suspension. Financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) has also been tapped, particularly for the bereaved families of those who perished at the height of the heavy downpour and flooding.
Dumlao said the DSWD also undertakes psychosocial activities, including child-friendly activities, inside the evacuation centers to bring a little bit of cheer to disaster-hit families, particularly the children, in a joint effort with concerned local government units. (PNA)
