CARAGA- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga provided augmentation support to the local government units (LGUs) of the municipalities of Sison, Gigaquit, Mainit, and Carrascal which were seriously hit by tropical storm Basyang on February 12-13, 2018.

With the huge number of affected families, the LGU of the said municipalities requested the agency’s augmentation support to assist the families who are still staying at the evacuation centers as of reporting time.

The regional office mobilized its field staff stationed at the affected towns to assist the local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) in providing relief goods, both food and non-food items amounting to Php2,809,139.18 in toto.

In Mainit, DSWD-Caraga provided 1,000 family food packs, malongs, blankets, and plastic mats. There were also 1,150 dignity kits given.

In Carrascal, the agency augmented 1,500 family food packs, and 500 dignity kits, malongs, blankets, mosquito nets, and plastic mats.

For the municipality of Sison, the Field Office gave 1,364 family food packs, 70 dignity kits, 2,000 1 L water, and 500 malong, mosquito nets, and plastic mats.

In the town of Gigaquit, 1,350 family packs, 300 dignity kits, and 990 malongs and plastic mats were given.

As of reporting time, respective Provincial/City/Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (P/C/MDRRMCs) across the region are still on active status and the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team, and Provincial/City/Municipal Action Team (P/C/MAT) are constantly monitoring in coordination with the LSWDOs and LDRRMOs for data generation and reporting.

Per latest report received by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of DSWD-Caraga, TD Basyang has affected four (4) provinces with 33 municipalities and 1 city in the region.

A total of 776 families or 3,496 persons are inside the 15 existing evacuation centers (EC) while a total of 56 families with 187 persons served outside ECs.

From the start of the disaster operation in Caraga Region, 154 ECs were activated evacuation centers.

Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim, together with the whole workforce of DSWD-Caraga, extends her sympathy to the families of the eight (8) lost lives due to the landslides and floods caused by TD Basyang.

“Our prayers go to the families who have lost their loved ones because of Basyang,” expressed Lim.

The regional director also assured those affected families and individuals that the DSWD-Caraga is on active standby and in close coordination with the LGUs monitoring the status and needs in this time of calamity.

“As to those who are still staying at the evacuation camps, we at the regional office are trying our very best to assist the LGUs. Rest assured that we have ready and available resources to provide necessary augmentation support if needed.” said Lim. ###(EUNICE MONTAOS PLAZA/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)