TORM with ACCORD, Brigada Kalikasan Extend Aid to Families Affected by Monsoon Rains
Malabon City, Manila 17 Aug. 12— TORM Shipping Philippines has mobilized PhP 200,000 to extend assistance to 500 families affected by heavy monsoon rains that drenched most of Metro Manila and nearby provinces last week. Southwest monsoon interacting with Typhoon Haikui brought torrential rains that caused widespread flooding in thousands of villages in six regions in the country, affecting some 924,285 families or 4,236,151 persons.
Selected vulnerable households from Sitio East Riverside in Barangay Potrero, Malabon received ready-to-eat food packs containing ½ kg cooked rice, hard-boiled eggs and pork adobo, and relief packs, each consisting of 5 kilos rice, 6 cans sardines and 6 liters drinking water. Distribution was conducted last August 10, 2012. The relief pack, which was based on the damages, needs, and capacities assessment conducted, provided food relief to 2,496 persons.
“The food packs helped us get through the week, that’s why we are so grateful of the efforts you are putting for us,” Carlos Caudilla, leader of Homeowners’ Association in East Riverside said. He further added that food has been scarce and limited for several days of staying at the evacuation centres, and residents were unable to work as they wait for the floodwaters to recede. East Riverside lies along the Tullahan River, which is directly affected with the overflow of La Mesa Dam.
The amount generated by TORM came from the combined contributions of the company and its employees. TORM employees, headed by its President, Ms Mailyn P. Borillo, have been actively involved in emergency response activities – from repacking and delivery of relief goods to the actual conduct of relief distribution. TORM recognizes the need to reach other communities that are requesting for help and continues to mobilize more resources. At the moment, it was able to raise an additional PhP197,000.
TORM’s relief delivery in Malabon was done in collaboration with CARE Nederland, Assistance and Cooperation for Resilience and Development (ACCORD Inc.), Church of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorist Church), Public Services and Resource Institute (PSRI) and Coca-Cola Foundation through Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR). ACCORD and CNDR, non-government organizations that work with communities exposed to disaster, climate and environmental risks, are implementing the Partners for Resilience Climate-proof Disaster Risk Reduction programme in barangay Potrero and barangay Catmon, both in Malabon City.
