PHILIPPINE RED CROSS CONTINUES TO SERVE MOST VULNERABLE ON WORLD RED CROSS DAY

UNWAVERING AND UNSTOPPABLE

As we commemorate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we call to mind the principles that form the foundation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and reflect on how the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) lived up to and continue to live up to these principles.

This year, 192 national societies around the world celebrate the Red Cross’s #unstoppable commitment to make the world a safer and more peaceful place. The Philippine Red Cross, in its 74 years of service, has been unstoppable in fulfilling its mandate as auxiliary to the government in alleviating the suffering and uplifting the dignity of the most vulnerable. Through its volunteers, logistics, and information technology, the PRC has been always first, always ready, and always there to respond to every disaster or emergency be it a typhoon, earthquake, fire, road crash, blood request, health crisis, and even the pandemic.

In 2020, the PRC continuously conducted ongoing response operations for those affected by the Mindanao Earthquakes, Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri), and Typhoon Ursula (Phanfone) in 2019, and supported individuals affected by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) which hit the country in 2018 and the Marawi Siege in 2017. 2020 would, however, prove to be a tumultuous year as the rumblings of Taal Volcano started to be felt just days after the New Year. The picture-perfect tourist destination in Batangas erupted after 43 years, and the country was left scrambling to evacuate the families within the danger zone, and—as if an ominous foreshadowing for what was to come—to secure face masks as protection from the health risks posed by volcanic ash.