Red Cross calls for USD 2.8-M to help Sendong survivors

MANILA, Philippines – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies issued an appeal on Wednesday, December 20, for USD 2.8 million to help the Philippine Red Cross in delivering assistance to 25,000 people who have been severely affected by Typhoon Sendong (international code name: Washi).

Death toll from the flash flooding caused by to Sendong, which devastated Northern Mindanao and parts of the Visayan islands over the weekend, is now believed to have exceeded 1,000. Many people are still missing and thousands have been forced to seek refuge in evacuation centers.

Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross chairman, said the devastation in the area was unprecedented.  “I’ve gone through many disasters but this one is the worst as some of the survivors have lost so many family members,” he said. “Some have lost as many as 30 relatives.”

In a press release, the IFRC said relief operation will prioritize delivering immediate life-saving aid to the worst affected families. This includes delivering food, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans and shelter assistance to families in the worst affected areas of Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao region.

The appeal will complement the rapid response already undertaken by Philippine Red Cross.

More than 600 volunteers and staff have been active since the storm hit. Teams have been involved in search and rescue, as well as supporting people in evacuation centres by providing hot meals, distributing food packs and setting up first aid posts.

The Red Cross has also dispatched emergency supplies of food and non-food items for 5,000 families from Manila and Davao to the affected area.

The livelihoods of the people affected by the disaster have been disrupted they have lost their homes and most of their possessions.

The Red Cross appeal will also support 1,200 particularly vulnerable households with transitional shelter and early recovery grants to help them rebuild their homes. – Rappler.com