Red Cross to build 'better' homes in Yolanda-affected areas

 News
Feb 112014
 
Now that the recovery phase has started in areas devastated by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the Philippine Red Cross is setting its eyes on building “better” houses for the survivors.

At a press conference in Manila on Wednesday, PRC chairman Richard Gordon said that after the initial emergency response, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Crescent Movement (RCM) would prioritize building permanent homes for the survivors of the killer typhoon.

He said the houses they are planning to build will be “better” as each will be erected away from danger zones and can withstand winds of up to 250kph. The PRC, which Gordon leads, is ICRC’s chapter in the Philippines.

Officials of the ICRC and the RCM met Wednesday to discuss future support for typhoon victims.

Also at the meeting in Manila, PRC’s secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang told reporters the two international aid organizations are set to rebuild some 50,000 houses; repair 70,000 more damaged homes; and relocate 5,000 families away from areas now considered as danger zones.

She said the funds for rebuilding and repairs will be sourced from the 300 million Swiss francs raised for the Yolanda survivors.

On the other hand, Gordon said 45 percent of the total funds raised will be for the housing project in Yolanda-affected areas. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News

NDRRMC: 274 still missing from sunken ship in Cebu

 News
Aug 162013
 
NDRRMC: 274 still missing from sunken ship in Cebu

Red Cross personnel attend to survivors of ships’ collision. Survivors of the collision between two ships near the Cebu International Port in waters off the towns of Talisay and Cordova are attended to be personnel of the Philippine Red Cross. GMA News – Cebu At least 274 passengers are still missing as of 7 a.m. Saturday from the collision of a passenger ship and a cargo vessel off Cebu Friday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 7 a.m. update, the NDRRMC indicated the missing are from the MV Saint Thomas Aquinas of 2GO Shipping, as the crew of the MV Suplicio Express 7 are accounted for. “As of 7 a.m. (Saturday), 24 persons are confirmed dead, 572 passengers were rescued, and 274 are missing,” it said. The NDRRMC said the 38 crewmembers of the MV Sulpicio Express 7 are “all safe and accounted for.” Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, and Department of Health taking part in the efforts. Volunteer groups are also helping in the search and rescue efforts. The NDRRMC said the injured victims were brought to various hospitals while the fatalities’ remains were brought to Pier 4 in Cebu City. Management of 2GO provided relief assistance including temporary shelter to 300 survivors at the passengers’ terminal of Pier 4. Other survivors were billeted at Subutel and Stella Marie Hotel, while other survivors in Talisay City Read More …

Sunken ship had 841 people on board — 2Go

 News
Aug 162013
 
Sunken ship had 841 people on board — 2Go

Red Cross personnel attend to survivors of ships’ collision. Survivors of the collision between two ships near the Cebu International Port in waters off the towns of Talisay and Cordova are attended to be personnel of the Philippine Red Cross. GMA News – Cebu The roll-on roll-off (RORO) ship that sank late Friday in Cebu had 841 people on board consisting of 723 passengers and 118 crew, the ship’s operator said Saturday morning. “The vessel has an authorized capacity of 1,010 passengers and crew,” the 2Go Group said in their statement emailed to GMA News and other news organizations. 2Go added that “while the number of survivors and casualties are still being determined by proper government authorities and shipping officials,  rescue operations  by the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, PSACC and 2GO Group are ongoing.  The shipping firm also said it “dispatched two of its fast crafts and passenger ship M/V St. John Paul which was in the immediate vicinity.” 2Go clarified that the MV St. Thomas Aquinas was not Manila bound. “The vessel came from Surigao and Nasipit Port bound for Cebu as a stopover port and then to Manila. It was estimated to arrive Cebu at 10 p.m.” Coast Guard officials earlier said the passenger ship was bound for Manila.  — ELR, GMA News

NDRRMC on red alert for Typhoon Labuyo; Red Cross alerts chapters

 News
Aug 102013
 
NDRRMC on red alert for Typhoon Labuyo; Red Cross alerts chapters

Typhoon Labuyo from the east, monsoon and possible LPA to the west. While Typhoon Labuyo comes from the east in the Pacific Ocean with 140 to 170 kph winds, PAGASA said the typhoon may enhance the southwest monsoon. Surface winds forecasts also show that a possible low pressure area may be forming just outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility far out to the west of Palawan. PAGASA The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council was placed on red alert Sunday morning for the possible effects of Typhoon Labuyo (Utor). NDRRMC spokesman Maj. Rey Balido said a red alert was declared at 8 a.m., with all concerned personnel on standby. “Nag-declare tayo ng red alert effective 8 a.m. Ang regions na naapektuhan at maapektuhan sa susunod na araw, on standby na [ang mga tauhan nila],” Balido said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said those particularly on alert include disaster management teams in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera. Also, Balido said teams from various government agencies are on alert and ready to respond to contingencies. These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, he said. Earlier Sunday, PAGASA said Labuyo intensified further and may make landfall over Aurora province on Monday. Catanduanes province was placed under Storm Signal No. 3 while nine areas were under Signal No. 2 and 26 areas including Metro Manila under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA forecaster Glaiza Escullar also warned Labuyo is Read More …