QRCS First Humanitarian Organization to Reach Victims of Philippines Earthquake

In response to the deadly earthquake that hit Mindanao, the Philippines, on Friday, Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) has provided a quick relief intervention.
A team of QRCS's Mission in the Philippines was sent to conduct impact assessment and prepare a humanitarian plan to help the victims of the earthquake, QRCS said in a press release.
Over a week, the team would make field assessments of the damage, identify intervention priorities, evaluate the available resources, and provide aid for the affected populations based on the results of assessment.
Coordination meetings were held with partners, the local community, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in the City of Surigao, local charities, and representatives of government authorities. They are working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Philippine Red Cross. 
A 6.7-magnitude earthquake killed at least eight people and injured 200 in the City of Surigao, southeastern Philippines. More than 1,100 houses were damaged, as well as an airport runway, a main bridge, and water/power supply networks. Many residents resorted to public parks, in anticipation of possible aftershocks.
The basic needs currently on the list include emergency shelter, food and nonfood aid, water and sanitation, and health care. Longer-term needs are house restoration and livelihood generation.
As the first Arab relief provider to work in the country, QRCS has had a foothold in the Philippines since 2012. Its mission conducted several humanitarian responses to major natural disasters, at a total cost of more than $5 million.
Examples of these interventions are Tropical Storm Washi (2012) and Typhoon Haiyan (2013).


Source: QNA