ICRC spokesperson Atishay Abbhi said the vessel—much of whose equipment is for residents in the Samar area—carried basic health care facilities including a surgical unit and water tank, as well as 20 tons of food.
“We initially focused on immediate relief. Now our next step is health,” Abbhi said, noting the vessel is carrying teams of engineers, health experts and even forensic experts to help manage the remains of fatalities.
He said the ICRC teams will be working with counterparts in the Philippine Red Cross.
Abbhi said the vessel has a surgical unit heading for Samar, as well as materials for restoring water service to Basey also in Samar.
“We have a team proceeding to Balangiga to help restore thw water networks,” he said. Personnel from the vessel will also
Teams will also bring food items to Salcedo and Guiuan in Samar, he added. Guiuan was the area where Yolanda first made landfall last Nov. 8.
Yolanda left at least 5,000 dead in its wake after ravaging parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon. — VC, GMA News
