As the floodwaters slowly recede in communities hit by typhoon “Uwan,” teams from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) remain on the ground — feeding families, treating the injured, and helping the survivors rebuild what’s left.

Across the hardest-hit provinces, PRC’s safety services set up 13 first-aid stations where volunteers took the vital signs of 384 people, treated minor injuries like abrasions and dizziness, and handled two serious cases involving lacerations. Three patients were rushed to hospitals, with seven ambulances deployed for medical transport and rescue operations.

In Batangas and Masbate, emergency response units helped 237 residents escape danger zones and reach safer evacuation centers — often wading through floodwaters and debris.

The Red Cross has also provided 65 shelter-strengthening kits in Isabela and Quirino and supported evacuation efforts in Olongapo, Aurora, Masbate, Abra, Cagayan and Kalinga. At evacuation centers, 12 welfare desks were set up, offering psychological first aid to 439 individuals and child-friendly spaces for 218 children.

Hot meals have been a lifeline for many displaced families. PRC’s signature red food trucks have served 8,753 meals — comfort food for tired evacuees and first responders alike.

Health services are also in full swing. With three doctors and 25 nurses on rotation, PRC teams have conducted 197 medical consultations and distributed basic medicines. To prevent disease outbreaks, especially leptospirosis, 106 individuals in Tarlac, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Valenzuela received prophylactic treatment. Disease prevention sessions have reached 781 people across multiple provinces.

Clean water and hygiene are just as critical in the aftermath. The PRC’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene unit has provided 248 bottles of water in Ilocos Sur and conducted hygiene promotion sessions in Apayao and Negros Occidental.