The Canadian Red Cross (CRC), through the Philippines Development Project, locally known as CA-ANAK, has donated on Tuesday P4.5 million worth of equipment to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to boost its disaster risk reduction, health, and first-aid program.
“The Philippines, not just the Philippine Red Cross, is fortunate to have friends from the Canadian Red Cross. The fruits of the CA-ANAK Project would surely prepare our countrymen in times of disasters and health emergencies,” said PRC Chairman and CEO, Sen. Richard J. Gordon during the official handover ceremony held at the PRC Tower in Mandaluyong City.
The PRC received a brand-new Hot Meals Truck together with three high-end satellite phones, water rescue equipment, and 20 sets of Child-Friendly Space tool kits.
The P4.5 million worth of equipment is part of the more than P110-million grant by CRC for the five-year project. The CA-ANAK project started to prepare communities to the risks brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda.
“It is important that our communities are prepared, just like Red Cross, dapat Always First, Always Ready, and Always There,” Gordon said adding that the
equipment handover is the culmination of a five-year partnership, starting in 2017, between PRC and its Canadian counterpart to provide a disaster risk reduction, health, and first-aid program to PRC National Headquarters and selected chapters.
It is a long-term development project with the ultimate goal of reducing health and disaster risks within the community, he said.
Among the beneficiaries include the PRC chapters within Capiz, Antique and Aklan.
Also present during the handover ceremony include Senator Gordon, PRC Secretary General Ms. Elizabeth Zavalla, Assistant Secretary Generals Mr. Ramon Murillo and Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta, CRC Country Representative Mr. Mlden Milicevic, and CRS Senior Advisor Ms. Wartini Pranama. 30