The Department of Social Welfare and Development 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.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the food provisions, alongside non-food items needed in evacuation centers, were released to 18 regions affected by Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, 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 other areas where the flood has not subsided until now, and many of our compatriots are still inside the evacuation centers. We are making sure that we continuously distribute the help of our Field Offices,” 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 (NCR), Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas), Negros Island Region (NIR), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
More than 5,000 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes have been heavily utilized for stranded passengers at the height of sea travel suspension.
Financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (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 is also holding psychosocial activities, child-friendly activities inside the evacuation centers to bring a little bit of cheer to disaster-hit families, particularly the children, in joint effort with concerned local government units (LGUs).
“The impact of disasters is not only met with material assistance, especially with the emotional toll on the affected families. That’s the reason why we always monitor the conduct of psychosocial activities and other interactive activities inside the evacuation center. We want to provide real peace of mind,” Dumlao added.
