Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon has ordered a full-blown relief and recovery intervention following a Magnitude 6.0 earthquake in some provinces of Eastern Mindanao on Wednesday, February 1.
Over 340 individuals, particularly in the municipalities of Montevista and New Bataan in Davao De Oro were affected.
“The Philippine Red Cross is always first, always ready, and always there to provide humanitarian assistance to our kababayan who are victims of disasters. Patuloy ang pag-alalay ng ating mga Red Cross 143 volunteers, ambulance teams, at welfare teams sa mga evacuees na nasa Montevista Sports Complex at Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital hanggang sa ang lahat ay tuluyang makabangon,” added Gordon.
Gordon said he had ordered the deployment of three Emergency Medical Units (EMUs) from Manila to the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital to assist in dealing with incoming health emergency cases.
The three EMUs with 25 durable cot beds were installed on Sunday in front of the provincial hospital to serve as a pediatric ward and delivery room.
Gordon said PRC medical tents are manned by PRC volunteer doctors and nurses, and are fully equipped with medical equipment, devices, and supplies. They are prepared to attend to evacuees with minor and major medical concerns, the PRC chief added.
The PRC also dispatched a food truck and served hot meals to 300 affected individuals in Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital on Sunday, while the PRC WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Unit distributed 5,000 liters of safe water in the provincial hospital.
In addition to the deployment of an ambulance, water bladder and water tanker, the PRC also mobilized 30 RC143 volunteers from PRC Davao De Oro Chapter and nine trained personnel from neighboring PRC Chapters to monitor the medical needs of evacuees.
As of February 6, the PRC has served 1,053 hot meals to affected families, distributed 10,000 liters of clean water, facilitated child-friendly activities to 124 affected children, conducted psychological first aid to 216 individuals, and facilitated sanitation and hygiene promotion activities.
These interventions are being done in close cooperation and collaboration with the Provincial Government of Davao De Oro. -30-