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No long weekend for Red Cross, relief distribution continues While others look forward to a long weekend after days of heavy rains and floods, the Philippine Red Cross volunteers and staff have braced themselves for a more intensified relief distribution, welfare and health intervention during the four day holidays, for thousands of families still suffering from the aftermath of disasters. In addition to the earlier food and relief assistance to flood-affected families,the PRC, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is set to deliver two-day food packages to 15,000 families, sleeping materials (blankets and mats) and jerry cans to 15,000 families and hygiene kits to 10,000 families. PRC will also undertake disease prevention health and hygiene education to 10,000 families, and support environmental sanitation efforts by conducting cleaning campaigns in communities as floodwater recedes. During the four day holidays on Saturday to Tuesday next week, the PRC team led by Chairman Richard J. Gordon and Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, along with chapter staff and volunteers, will distribute food and non-food items, as well as hygiene kitsto more than 6,000 families in Malabon, Rizal, Quezon City, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Olongapo, Bataan, Pangasinan and Zambales. "We have to reach out to the people out there still suffering from the devastation brought by floods." Gordon said. "Help cannot wait." He stressed. The Red Cross team will use the PRCamphibian in transporting the relief goods to various distribution sites in Laguna to expedite the relief operation. Earlier, the PRC distributed food items to 36,143 families and non-food items to 13,963 families.Hot meals were also provided to 81,995 persons. A total of 1,466 persons were rendered with different welfare services of the Red Cross such as referral, guidance and counseling and psychosocial support. On behalf of the Red Cross and its beneficiaries, Gordon expressed his profound gratitude to IFRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other partners including the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (DG ECHO), Australian Aid, and partner based in-country National Societies such as the Australian Red Cross, German Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross and the Netherlands Red Cross. The Red Cross also thanked local corporate partners and individual donors who have supported the organization through their donations. More than Php 6.3 million cash donations were received so far by the PRC for its relief efforts. The PRC welcomes donations in cash for flood-affected families. You may send or deposit your donations to the following: Banco De Oro |