PH Red Cross provides meals, PFA to 6.0 magnitude quake victims in Mindanao
THREE days after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Mindanao, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provided hot meals to more than 700 men and women as well as boys and girls in affected communities in the municipalities of Montevista and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro and in Kiamba, Sarangani. Around 300 men and women and boys and girls also received psychological first aid (PFA).
PFA is given by trained individuals to people who have just experienced a serious crisis event. The World Health Organization says it “involves humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed, in ways that respect their dignity, culture, and abilities.” Trained PRC facilitators give PFA to children through activities that are appropriate to their age, such as games. PRC’s Welfare Services Team set up Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in areas affected by hazard events as a standard component of PRC’s disaster responses.
“Food and psychological first aid are among the immediate needs of people who have just gone through a crisis event. The Philippine Red Cross provides these needs, along with emergency medical services and water,” explained PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon.
As of 04 February, the PRC has provided the following assistance to people affected by the earthquake: evacuating 27 patients from Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital, providing hot meals to more than 700 persons, and facilitating PFA for around 300 persons.
The PRC Health Services will also set up a medical tent and distribute water through the PRC water tanker and bladders.
