Red Cross leads call for aid for Ompong-ravaged North

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is appealing to the public for donations for those who were affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon “Ompong” in the Northern Luzon provinces.

So far, hot meals were provided by the agency to up 1,792 individuals while first aid stations and Welfare Desks were set up in evacuation centers. The PRC has also conducted water search and rescue (WASAR) operations in Cagayan and Nueva Ecija.

Three PRC cargo trucks carrying 1,000 additional non-food items and relief supplies, two mobile kitchens for cooking hot meals, and one stainless water tanker were mobilized Saturday afternoon in Northern Luzon.

PRC Chairman Senator Richard Gordon deployed this second “humanitarian caravan” to assist families affected by Ompong.

The first caravan comprised of two teams for quick assessment was mobilized September 13 to Isabela and Cagayan, days ahead of Ompong’s projected landfall. One WASAR (Water Search and Rescue) team, one payloader, and one hot meal van completed the caravan that carried 2,000 non-food items.

PRC Pangasinan Chapter has also deployed two rescue teams bound for two municipalities, San Fabian and San Jacinto.

All these efforts were made possible with the diligence and dedication of its chapters, staff and volunteers nationwide. The PRC relief teams were able to reach their destination even under extreme weather conditions.

Gordon admits that “we don’t have the resources all the time but we manage, thanks to all the Samaritans — Filipinos and non-Filipinos.”

He reiterated his call to the public. “We are providers of hope. Help us do more for our fellow men in their hour of need.”