ICRC spokesperson Atishay Abbhi said the vessel—whose equipment is for Samar—carried basic health care facilities including a surgical unit and water tank, as well as 20 tons of food.
“We are providing relief, health care and we are trying to restore water supply in the areas of Eastern and Southern Samar,” Abbhi said, noting there are already around 60 ICRC personnel including engineers, health experts and a team providing essential household items.
He said the ICRC teams are 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 Basey to help restore thw water networks,” he said.
Meanwhile, another ICRC vessel is carrying a basic health care unit for Balangiga.
Teams have already provided food items to 54,000 people in 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
