PRC (Philippines Red Cross) worked with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in this operation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and six National Societies were also present in the Philippines: American Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, German Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, and Spanish Red Cross. Government coordination was led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Government ministries and agencies involved include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Local Government Units (LGU), and the Philippine National Police Force, supported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake stuck on 27 July 2022, with the epicentre located in the municipality of Tayum, province of Abra in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Region. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake struck at 8:43 am, with a tectonic origin and at a depth of 17 kilometres. The agency warned of damage and aftershocks. There were no tsunami warnings issued, as it was detected inland. Abra is a landlocked region known for deep valleys and mountainous terrain. The earthquake affected total of 11 provinces in Region I, II and CAR. Furthermore, there were 13 landslides reported in Region I and CAR. A total of 4,795 aftershocks were recorded, of which 1,208 were plotted and 70 were felt by the population, with a magnitude ranging from 1.4 to 5.1. The Sitrep No. 20 from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued on 22 August 2022 and the Terminal Report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DSWD-DROMIC) issued on 7 January 2023 are summarized in the table below.
11 people died and 609 have been injured due to the earthquake effects. 6,176 individuals or 1,910 families were displaced in 46 evacuation centres. 1,748,258 population in the provinces reported intensity VI / VII and where people stayed in evacuation centers (Abra, Ilicos Sur, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet and La Union). 574,367 individuals or 155,911 families were directly affected in 1,403 barangays, in Region I, II and CAR. 6,176 individuals or 1,910 families were displaced in 46 evacuation centres, according to PRC assessment. 6,176 individuals or 1,910 families were displaced in 46 evacuation centres, according to PRC assessment. Damage to Agriculture: PHP 74.89 million (CHF 1.26 million) estimated damaged. 169 roads and 11 bridges were not passable, 48 cities/municipalities experienced power interruption/outage, 8 cities/municipalities suffered water system interruption/outage.
People in Abra and Ilocos Sur Provinces experienced most of the impact of the earthquake. The PRC mobilized the RC 143 volunteers, chapter staff and NHQ staff to conduct the rapid assessment and provide the relief assistance. A total of 697 families were provided with essential household items. With the DREF funding. The essential household items included two blankets, two sleeping mats and two mosquito nets. PRC mobilized the above essential household items from its pre-positioned stocks and DREF funding was utilized to replenish the items. PRC complemented the food pack distribution from LGU by providing total of 22,765 hotmeals. Total of 26 first aid stations were established in evacuation centers, which assisted 1,510 people with basic first aid. Furthermore, PRC deployed seven health caravans to municipalities of San Isidro and San Quintin in Abra province, and Bantay, Caoayan, Nagbukel, San Emilio and Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province to provide basic health services and access to basic health care. Total of 26 first aid stations were established in evacuation centers, which assisted 1,510 people with basic first aid. Furthermore, PRC deployed seven health caravans to municipalities of San Isidro and San Quint in in Abra province, and Bantay, Caoayan, Nagbukel, San Emilio and Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province to provide basic health services and access to basic health care. Total of 4,133 people were reached though health caravan. PRC deployed five water tankers and one water treatment unit to the affected areas together with trained WASH personals to manage generation and distribution of safe drinking water to the affected areas. The WASH team distributed 2,043,927liters of safe drinking water over a period of 30 days which have reached 54,209 people. Each hygiene kit included 12 pieces of body soap, 7 laundry soaps, 42 sanitary pads, 5 bath towels, 6 rolls of toilet paper, 2 toothpaste tubes, 5 toothbrushes and 4 disposable razors.
First, the impact of transportation should be fully considered, as the disruption of roads/bridges after an earthquake increases the uncertainty of post-disaster relief. Second, strengthen the contact with government agencies and communities in the affected areas, and make adequate preparation for the absence of telecommunication to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency response operations. Thirdly, daily equipment maintenance. Fourth, strengthen the localization of volunteers, including learning local dialects. Fifth, financial preparation should be adequate.
Abstracted by Zhong Deping
National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management, China
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