Red Cross needs more Cebuano volunteers

CEBU, Philippines - As typhoon season is here, the Philippine Red Cross is inviting more volunteers in Cebu as part of the plan to expand the humanitarian organization’s operations here.

 PRC chairman and chief executive officer Richard Gordon said they are intensifying their recruitment and training of Red Cross 143 volunteers – the flagship volunteer program that recruits and trains 143 volunteers in every barangay, school and work place.

 Gordon, who was the guest speaker of the first Cebu Federation of Beat Journaliasts’ forum yesterday emphasized that Red Cross 143 means one team leader and 43 members serving as humanitarian arms of PRC on the ground, especially in times of disasters. The Red Cross 143 volunteers also serve as ‘walking blood donors’ in their respective communities.

 To date, PRC has nearly a million registered Red Cross 143 members nationwide. As part of the Disaster Consciousness Month celebration, these Red Cross 143 members are now in full swing organizing emergency drills and promoting disaster risk reduction measures as they build community capacities in coping with disasters

 Meanwhile, PRC will ink a memorandum of understanding with five hospitals in Lapu-Lapu City to formalize their partnership, enhance collaboration and address the needs of victims of Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI).

 The five hospitals in Lapu-Lapu City are Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Airbase Hospital, Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, Mactan Doctors’ Hospital, Tojong Inc. Maternity and General Hospital and Our Lady of the Rule Maternity and General Hospital.

 The MOA with the hospitals ensure that in addition to medical intervention, maximum emergency services, triage and trauma services are in place for victims of MCIs.

Under the Agreement, PRC can establish Red Cross welfare desks in the hospitals that will be ready to provide psychosocial support and facilitate communications with family members of victims in cases of mass casualty incidents.

 PRC will also source and supply blood and by-products to the hospital patients as maybe necessary during emergencies.

 Gordon said that the MOU seeks to establish health and welfare desks in the hospitals to provide more effective and well-coordinated emergency response, triage and trauma services during disasters.

 The PRC also continues to boost its emergency response vehicles and equipment for a speedy and effective response to disasters.

 At present, PRC has two amphibians, 51 rubber boats, three aluminum steel boats, 12 fire trucks, two fully equipped rescue trucks, two 6X6 rescue trucks, 67 ambulances and two water tankers prepositioned in various disaster-prone areas.. The Red Cross also continues to upgrade its operation center and information technology for fast dissemination of information in times of emergency.  (FREEMAN)