Singapore Red Cross to contribute P2.2M for Cebu earthquake relief

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is providing SGD 50,000 or about P2.2 million to support the Philippine government's ongoing relief operations in northern Cebu, which was devastated by a deadly earthquake Tuesday night that killed at least 68 people and displaced hundreds.

Its assistance would cover urgent medical needs, such as water sanitation and hygiene, and mental health and psychosocial support activities by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

"Our contribution is intended to provide immediate assistance, helping to ensure that essential needs are met swiftly and that hope remains alive. We stand in solidarity with our sister national society and the impacted communities in these challenging times," said Benjamin William, secretary general and CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.  

In a statement, SRC said it is in discussions with other partners on the ground to deploy prepositioned water filters to affected communities. 

The death toll from the September 30 earthquake that struck Bogo City in northern Cebu was initially reported at 72 people on Thursday, but Philippine disaster officials later clarified the official count to 68.

The number of recorded injured stands at over 500. No additional missing people have been reported.

Dozens of buildings and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and seaports, were damaged or collapsed in Bogo and neighboring towns.

The SRC also said its disaster surveillance team is closely monitoring Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo), which made landfall in northern Philippines on Friday morning.

"SRC remains in close coordination with our local humanitarian partners, including the PRC, to ensure assistance directly addresses the most urgent and evolving needs on the ground," it said.

"The situation in the Philippines is dire; thousands have lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. They might soon be confronted with another disaster with the incoming tropical storm. The situation is fluid, with the needs on the ground evolving daily," the SRC said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News