Tacloban: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here distributed 788 family food boxes to flood-affected residents in this city on Wednesday, following continuous rains brought by the shear line. The agency promptly delivered relief assistance to communities impacted by flooding in several areas of the city.

According to Philippines News Agency, of the total assistance provided, 771 family food boxes were distributed to affected families in Barangay 110 Utap, while 17 family food boxes were given to residents of Barangay 99 Diit. 'DSWD said the relief operation forms part of its mandate to immediately respond to communities and families affected by disasters and other emergencies,' the DSWD said in a statement.

The DSWD said its disaster response teams, known as the 'Angels in Red Vests,' continue to coordinate with other local government units in the region to provide augmentation support as needed. Earlier, the DSWD announced that it has prepositioned relief resources worth PHP139.04 million as it braces for the effects of the continuous rains brought by the weather disturbance this week.

The agency said its regional office remains on heightened alert and ready to respond to possible flooding and landslides across the region. The standby relief assistance includes 150,683 family food boxes, 11,973 ready-to-eat food packs, and 16,808 non-food items. The agency has also allocated PHP3 million in standby funds for emergency response.