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Philippines

Red Cross distributes relief goods in Marinduque and Catanduanes

Thousands of typhoon victims in Marinduque and Catanduanes received food and non-food donations today from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). The non-food items distributed in Marinduque came from the US government through the US Agency for International Aid (USAID).

PNRC chairman Richard Gordon and secretary general Corazon Alma de Leon led the distribution of relief goods. In Boac Town Plaza, Marinduque where the first distribution took place, a total of 1,000 families each received non-food items composed of two blankets, two mosquito nets, two sleeping mats, a water can and a hygiene kit. These non-food items were purchased using the USAID donation of US$50,000.

At 12 pm, the Red Cross team boarded a C130 cargo plane going to Catanduanes. More than 1,050 families received relief goods at the Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industry. Over 600 families received non-food items, while almost 500 received food including 15 kilos of rice, canned food, noodles, mongo, salt and sugar.

Last January 22, Gordon and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney together with the 3rd US Marines Expeditionary Brigade conducted a similar relief operation in Legaspi, Albay. There they also launched the USAID-funded "Red Cross Emergency Messaging System" which allows the Red Cross to instantly broadcast through text, emergency-related information including evacuation instructions.