INTERNATIONAL Emergency Services field operator Damaris Frick reports from The Philippines that The Salvation Army's typhoon response is 'going well', and that the relief teams are overseeing a variety of activities.
In her latest update to International Headquarters, Damaris says: 'I joined the medical team yesterday morning to see them in action. Despite being a small team it was well organised and running smoothly. They saw 59 patients in total.'
As has been previously reported, the medical team – consisting of Salvation Army personnel and representatives from the Christian Medical and Dental Association of the USA (CMDA) – is working in an area called Dulag. The team is rotating between six barangays (the Filipino word for a small administrative district) but has been asked by the mayor's office in Dulag to spread their work to other parts of the area.
Plans are in place to extend the medical service to Nula Tula, and an expected increase in personnel will allow the team to split and cover two places simultaneously.
The Salvation Army has been asked by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assess the situation at some of the smaller evacuation sites on Leyte Island. The bigger ones seem to receive regular food assistance but it appears that the smaller ones have been overlooked.
In the meantime, food pack distribution continues in various parts of Tacloban, with 131 families assisted yesterday and a further 375 scheduled to be helped at two locations today.
Damaris concludes: 'We have received information that some of the smaller islands have not received any assistance. We have therefore requested transportation through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services to do an initial needs assessment and, if necessary, plan a distribution.'
Away from Leyte, assistance continues to be given to communities in Cebu, Panay Island and other places that suffered typhoon damage.
Report by Communications Section
International Headquarters
