By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI continues to help the affected families from the calamities in the region by distributing adequate food packages, supplies, and shelter in evacuation areas.
During the One Davao Virtual Presser live stream on Jan. 31, Kris Sam Torralba, DRIMS-Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) section head, said that they prioritized families that are in need from the recent calamities in the region that occurred last Jan 18.
According to Torralba, Davao del Norte had the highest number of flood victims, followed by Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, with Davao del Sur being the least affected.
As of Jan. 31, the department downloaded P83,487,032 million worth of family food packs and non-food items for the families, including clean water supplies stored in jerry cans through partnerships with local water districts and the Department of Health.
The food packs are good for three days for a family of five but the vacuum-sealed products can be stored for six months. Sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and tents were provided to families who chose to stay outside the evacuated centers.
Torralba said they handed out 124,685 family food packs, which were not enough for the estimated 204,000 or more affected families. The DSWD prioritized the individuals staying in evacuation centers, especially since some areas were still isolated.
He also added there were 162 evacuation centers with four new evacuation centers sheltering the displaced families.
Prepositioned goods are placed in 23 sites to serve hard-to-reach areas so that rescuers can respond immediately in case of disasters. The government also gave burial assistance for the victims and cash aid for damaged properties.
