Singapore, 19 October - Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has committed S$100,000 for Philippines and S$50,000 for Vietnam, in emergency response for Typhoons Ferdie (Meranti), Karen (Sarika) and Haima (Lawin). Singapore Red Cross will support disaster response services of the Philippines Red Cross (PRC) and the Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC), including the provision of blankets, shelter materials, hot meals, family and food packs, biscuits, as well as psychosocial support services to the communities affected by the series of typhoons.
Two teams of Singapore Red Cross staff and volunteers, equipped with disaster management skills from the disaster response training programmes conducted by the Singapore Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), are on standby to be deployed to the Philippines and Vietnam. In Philippines, the team is likely to be deployed in the northern part of Luzon, where Typhoon Haima - the strongest yet of the recent typhoons in Philippines - is expected to cause the most damage. The typhoons have caused severe flooding, bursting rivers, mudslides and landslides in Northern Philippines. In Vietnam, a team is on standby to work with the VNRC in relief operations in the central region, which suffered the brunt of the typhoons.
Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of SRC said: “We are closely monitoring the regions affected by the recent typhoons that have hit the Philippines and Vietnam, in consultation with our sister national societies in-country. The typhoons have caused widespread devastation, affecting numerous towns, villages and communities.
Thousands of families have lost their homes, belongings and livelihood. The devastation is expected to escalate with the onset of Typhoon Haima. The humanitarian aid provided by Singapore Red Cross will augment and support the ongoing relief efforts by the Philippine Red Cross and Viet Nam Red Cross. We hope this will relieve the suffering of those affected, and help save lives. We will continue to monitor the situation to best support the affected communities.”
The Red Cross has been providing relief items including blankets, plastic mats, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, tarpaulin, corrugated zinc sheets, meals, psychosocial support services - supporting thousands of families affected by the typhoons. This number is expected to grow, given the impact of Typhoon Haima.
The Singapore Red Cross and Philippines Red Cross have collaborated on past relief efforts across multiple disasters, including Typhoon Ketsana, Typhoon Bopha, Tropical Storm Washi, Earthquake Bohol and the Super Typhoon Haiyan, in areas such as medical aid, relief distribution and water and sanitation. Likewise, the Singapore Red Cross has collaborated with Viet Nam Red Cross on relief efforts following past disasters such as the devastating floods in 2013.
Note: The SRC is not launching a public fundraising appeal at this point. However, donations can be made at Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486, during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm). Cheques can be made payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ and posted to the above address. Donations to overseas efforts are not tax deductible.
For more details or to arrange for interviews, please contact:
Name: Eileen Cher
Email: eileen.cher@redcross.sg
DID: 6664 0518
About Singapore Red Cross
Singapore Red Cross is a homegrown humanitarian organisation, dedicated to relieving human suffering, protecting lives and dignity and responding to emergencies since 1949. We serve the vulnerable through our blood donor recruitment programme, home and day activity centre for the disabled, transport aid, food aid, and community first aid.
We build capacity and resilience through our training academy, and volunteer and youth development. Beyond our shores, we mobilise and translate contributions from the donor community to relief and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, with the aim of helping communities affected by disasters. For more information, please see www.redcross.sg
