Eastern visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided at least PHP39.8 million worth of assistance to families affected by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) that battered Eastern Visayas last week.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD reported on Monday that relief aid included the distribution of 59,427 family food boxes, 3,067 ready-to-eat food packs, and 3,524 non-food items to affected households. In addition, families who lost loved ones due to the typhoon received PHP10,000 cash assistance each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
Four deaths were reported in the region due to Tino’s onslaught – two each in Southern Leyte and Leyte provinces, according to the situation report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of Sunday.
According to the DSWD, the assistance aims to augment the resources of 82 local government units in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, where 228,201 families were reported affected. Some families are still temporarily staying in evacuation centers or with relatives.
‘The amount reflects the DSWD’s ongoing commitment to deliver immediate and sufficient support to communities impacted by disasters. It continues to gather updated information on damages and needs on the ground to guide relief and recovery operations,’ said DSWD regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua, in a phone interview.
Typhoon Tino has affected at least 228,201 families, or 804,961 individuals, when it crossed Eastern Visayas on Nov. 4.
