Disaster Alert
Last updated on Monday, December 19, 2011
Late Saturday evening, Typhoon Washi struck the Mindanao area in the southern Philippines, leaving hundreds dead and hundreds more missing. According to the national disaster risk reduction and management council (NDRRMC), more than 135,000 people have been affected, with 45,000 currently being served in 47 evacuation centers. Massive flooding and landslides have left 4,000 homes damaged or destroyed, crushed infrastructure such as roads, bridges, power lines, telecommunications, and damaged the country’s agricultural based economy. These numbers are expected to rise with further assessment of the damage.
The Philippine Red Cross is heavily engaged with rescue and relief operations, responding with more than 600 volunteers and staff. The PRC has provided hot meals to some 2,300 people and has set up first aid and welfare desks at its evacuation centers. In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross has dispatched 3,000 hygiene kits from its warehouses in Davaao, Mindanao’s capital. Additional supplies of food packages and relief supplies are in route to the region. In country, volunteers are also conducting assessments to determine levels of damage and to plan next steps.
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation through our partners in the region and stands ready to support the Philippine Red Cross if required.
For more information on the disaster, visit http://www.redcross.org.ph.
