The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is appealing for donations to help more families affected by the ongoing armed clashes in Marawi City, which have displaced thousands of people.
According to PRC's Operations Center, 96 barangays have been affected by the clashes, causing more than 29,000 individuals to leave their homes and seek temporary comfort and safety in evacuation centers. Infrastructures such as houses, a school, church, and jail have also been damaged.
"Filipinos always rise to help selflessly. Our brothers and sisters in Mindanao need you to help extend their lives while facing ongoing clashes. Let us help the most vulnerable by making a difference," said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.
Donations will be used to cover the cost of adequate provision of food items such as rice, noodles, assorted canned goods, and hot meals, as well as non food items such as blankets, plastic mats, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, and jerry can containers.
For every donation of PHP850, a family will receive rice, noodles, assorted canned goods, and coffee — good for three days. For just over a thousand pesos, a family will be given comfort in the form of blankets, sleeping mats, and clean water.
To those who are interested to extend a humanitarian hand through the Philippine Red Cross, cash donations may be deposited in any of the following Philippine Red Cross bank accounts:
Account name: Philippine Red Cross
BDO Peso Account – 00-453-0190938
BDO Dollar Account – 10-453-0039482
Metrobank Peso Account – 151-7-15152434-2
Metrobank Dollar Account – 151-2-15100218-2
Donations may also be dropped off at the PRC Tower, 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. Donors may also call telephone numbers 790-2410 and 0917-834-8378, or email at emergencyappeal@redcross.org.ph, or go directly to PRC official website at http://redcross.org.ph/get-involved/donate-nowand look for Ma. Rizza Genil or Shervi Corpuz.
Be part of PRC's mission to alleviate suffering and restore the dignity of the most vulnerable by giving generously. Donate now and help save lives.
Ongoing relief operations
To date, PRC has provided some 700 individuals with hot meals, 725 individuals with psychosocial support, and people who were separated from their families have been reconnected with their loved ones through PRC's Restoring Family Links program.
As part of the organization's water, sanitation and hygiene program, PRC has established water stations by providing water bladders and tankers in evacuation centers.
These water stations have provided access to safe and clean water to more than 8,400 individuals. Health and hygiene promotions have also been conducted, to help individuals in evacuation centers avoid the dangers of poor sanitation while staying in their temporary shelters.
PRC has also mobilized its ambulances and trained first aiders to assist injured individuals on first aid management. All PRC ambulances in nearby towns are already prepositioned in case further help is necessary.
More than 200 blood units are available in PRC-Iligan Chapter for individuals who need blood transfusion, where welfare volunteers are stationed to ensure immediate access to blood supply. With its several blood service facilities in Mindanao, PRC is ready to augment the supply if needed.
Marawi City, considered as the largest city in Lanao del Sur and in Mindanao, is geographically located on the shores of Lake Lanao and Agus River, where higher elevation and cooler climate can be experienced. Agriculture such as rice and farming, trading, and exporting mark its growing economy. As such, the armed clashes have affected not just the residents of Marawi, but people who live in neighboring towns and cities as well.
PRC has provided humanitarian aid not only to Marawi but to its neighboring cities, too.
"Help must reach our people in Mindanao. Help us extend our humanitarian work to those in need by anticipating their needs," said PRC Secretary General Oscar Palabyab.(PR/PNA)
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