DSWD continues augmentation of food and non-food items to regions affected by ‘Odette’

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues its response operations to aid Typhoon Odette victims in Visayas and Mindanao.

On December 28, the DSWD Field Office (FO) VII, representatives from the Office of Civil Defense, and the Regional Maritime Unit-7 delivered 500 family food packs to Inabanga, Bohol.

Likewise, in Western Visayas, DSWD FO VI augmented 2,200 FFPs to Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. To hasten the distribution of aid to affected locals, FO VI staff were also present to provided technical assistance to the said local government unit (LGU).

In Palawan, the DSWD FO MIMAROPA delivered some 2,000 FFPs to the LGU of Taytay, Palawan. The FFPs arrived in the Port of Puerto Princesa (PPC) through the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Aside from food items, the DSWD FO CARAGA has started its distribution of P5,000 financial assistance, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, to families affected by ‘Odette’ in Dapa, Surigao del Norte and Basilisa, Province of Dinagat Islands. The FO CARAGA reported that more families from other affected municipalities are expected to receive assistance as soon as the results of the rapid assessment conducted by the DSWD and concerned LGUs are validated.

In addition, a Boeing Aircraft carrying 500 rolls of sakoline (laminated sacks) is bound for Butuan – Surigao for distribution to typhoon victims.

Meanwhile, DSWD FOs from non-affected regions are also continuously providing augmentation assistance to affected DSWD FOs. This is part of the Twinning and Reinforcement systems of the Department. Twinning is where the identified twin FO will immediately provide augmentation to the affected FO, while Reinforcement happens when the DSWD CO and other regions with appropriate capacity are on standby to provide assistance upon depletion of resources of the affected FO.

The DSWD FO CALABARZON will augment 500 family tents, 2,000 FFPs, and 2,000 hygiene kits to FO MIMAROPA, while the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) augmented 272 family tents to Siargao. The DSWD FO V also committed to deliver 500 rolls of laminated sacks to affected FOs.

As of December 28, 2021, 6AM, more than P154 million worth of humanitarian assistance was already provided to affected families. From the given amount, more than P115 million worth of augmentation assistance was provided by the DSWD, more than P38 million worth of aid was given by concerned local government units (LGUs) to their constituents, while more than P1 million worth of aid provided by non-government organizations and other partners.

The Department assured the public that it will continue to coordinate with concerned agencies to expedite the provision of aid to disaster-affected families.