Posted in Business and Finance Cebu Press

RAFI sends more relief packs to typhoon-affected areas

RAFI sends more relief packs to typhoon-affected areas Posted on January 13, 2022Leave a comment

Sinjin is a travel and lifestyle blogger. Formerly the president of Cebu's premier blogging organization, the Cebu Bloggers Society, he is Sun Prepaid's "Glorious Lifestyle Baron" and Cebu Pacific's "Singapore Party Peep"

A total of 80,250 relief packs valued at Php 40,125,000 have been distributed to more than 27 areas in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Occidental since the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. began its emergency relief operations after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (International: Rai).

In addition, the foundation has provided nine generator sets and supplies of fuel in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Carcar, Talisay, and the municipalities of San Fernando, Ronda, Samboan and Pinamujangan in order to help energize water pumps and charge devices and other equipment. 

Today, 5,000 relief packs are en route to Balamban along with 4,400 relief packs to Cordova in Cebu. Relief packs and water bottles are also ready for distribution in Sipalay and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental in the coming days. Likewise, distribution in Southern Leyte is also set to begin this week. 

In Bohol, 1,185 water bottles were distributed in the municipalities of Loon and Clarin, while relief packs were distributed in Loon, Calape, Inabanga and Talibon last January 11. Rapid assessment teams have also been deployed to Tubigon, Inabanga, Getafe and Ubay in Bohol to help determine the needs of typhoon-affected communities.

A total of 5,680 relief packs were completed by 57 volunteers today in Cebu City amidst the increased safety precautions and volunteer shifting plan imposed by the foundation to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

To further speed up RAFI’s Emergency Relief Operations, more volunteers are needed to help provide urgent relief across Cebu and Bohol. Repacking is currently ongoing daily, at the Kabilin Center and Casa Gorordo Museum located across the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Main Office on Eduardo Aboitiz Street, Barangay Tinago, Cebu City. Meals will be provided, but volunteers are asked to bring water, their vaccination card, and an extra t-shirt. Interested volunteers may sign up here

RAFI lends a generator to a water-refilling station in San Fernando.

The foundation has laid out a 3-phase humanitarian relief operation in response to the massive destruction left in the wake of Typhoon Odette. Phase 1 includes distribution of emergency relief packs to families heavily affected by the typhoon. 

Upon completion of distribution of relief packs, RAFI will provide psychosocial support for children and emergency shelter to affected indigent families. Building materials and tools will be provided to families to help them rebuild their damaged houses. Phases 2 and 3 will include recovery and rehabilitation efforts. RAFI’s relief efforts are ongoing as more data about the typhoon’s impact is gathered.

Food, water, shelter, and fuel remain scarce and inaccessible for thousands of families affected by Typhoon Odette. RAFI is accepting financial donations from individuals and groups who wish to help. For in-kind donations, the organization is accepting donations of the following items most in need now: 

  • Water filters
  • Generator sets 
  • Powerbanks

In-kind donations made in Cebu may be dropped off at the Main Office of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation. Donors in Metro Manila may likewise drop off their donations at the Headquarters of the Civil Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. For inquiries about Metro Manila drop-off, please contact Olaf Miguel Bautista at 09175482888.

As of January 10, 2022, the foundation has raised Php 36,641,967 in cash and pledges from individual donors and organizations. It has spent Php 63,657,735 for its emergency relief operations. RAFI’s counterpart spending is at Php 27,015,768. The foundation thanks its numerous donors and partners for all the help they have been extending.

The Foundation continues to coordinate with the local government units, government agencies, and other private organizations to determine appropriate interventions for the most vulnerable sectors.

RAFI is open for partnerships. Its Donation Hub is OPEN for donations and support from local and international organizations, as well as from individual donors. Donations will be used for the provision of immediate relief of affected families and communities.

Interested partners can contact RAFI through their email address eoc@rafi.ph or through the following numbers (032) 265-5914 (landline), 0917-633-2936 (Globe), and 0933-879-2966 (Sun).

Sinjin is a travel and lifestyle blogger. Formerly the president of Cebu's premier blogging organization, the Cebu Bloggers Society, he is Sun Prepaid's "Glorious Lifestyle Baron" and Cebu Pacific's "Singapore Party Peep"

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