The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided Php690 million worth of humanitarian aid to families affected by the recent tropical cyclones across the country.
“Ang buong gobyerno, kasama ang DSWD, ay patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan para maibigay ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan na lubhang tinamaan ng sunod-sunod na bagyo,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Tuesday (July 29).
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the assistance includes the distribution of 985,551 family food packs (FFPs) and other essential relief items such as hygiene kits, kitchen sets, sleeping kits, and family tents, among others.
Aside from relief supplies, the DSWD has also provided cash aid to the bereaved families of casualties and families whose houses were damaged due to landslides and effects of weather disturbances.
“Hindi lang po pagkain ang tulong na ibinibigay natin. Importante rin sa mga panahong ito ang mga gamit para sa kalinisan, tulugan, pangluto, at pati na rin tulong pinansyal,” DRMG Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier reported that the DSWD has prepared an initial Php450 million for financial aid for the affected families and individuals.
The DSWD Field Offices continue to assess the situation on the ground, especially the 1,093 open evacuation centers, to determine the next steps for relief and early recovery efforts.
The DSWD also assured the public that its prepositioned supplies and standby funds are still sufficient and ready to be sent to local government units (LGUs) as the need arises.
“Patuloy po ang aming pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga LGU. Nakahanda po kami kung kailangan pa ng dagdag na FFPs at iba pang relief supplies,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Based on the latest Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) report, a total of 2,095,639 families or 7,573,126 persons have been affected by the series of weather disturbances. (YADP)