The typhoon hit the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on October 29, affected 115,437 families (or 572,185 individuals) from 126 barangays and left scores dead.
Davao City, over the weekend sent two teams to deliver the first batch of aid and relief goods to Maguindanao and Cotabato City.
A team of 44 people was deployed to Cotabato City while a team of 90, which will also be assisting in the ongoing search and rescue operations, was sent to Maguindanao.
The teams were made up of social workers, emergency responders, security forces, and medical personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s Emergency Medical Services, Fire Auxiliary Services, Urban Search and Rescue, City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Ancillary Services Unit, City Engineer’s Office, Davao City Police Office, Task Force Davao, and the Office of Civil Defense Region 11.
In a report from the City Information Office (CIO) CSWDO head Lawyer Marlisa Gallo said the CSWDO is currently coordinating with social workers from the local governments of Cotabato and Maguindanao to determine the aid needed.
“Tan-awon pa nato ni karon kung unsa ang mga request sa atong mga social workers pud didto sa Maguindanao,” she said.
Gallo also said the city will also deliver psychosocial services to the residents to help them deal with the trauma.
She said basic needs such as food and drinking water are the top priority in aid distribution.
Hygiene kits, toiletries, sleeping materials and medicines are also very much needed, she said.
Those who wish to donate, according to Gallo, are encouraged to give the essential items which can be dropped at the CSWDO main building at Pichon Street.
Relief donations can also be dropped at the Task Force Davao Headquarters in Sta. Ana Wharf and at Rizal Park.
Photo from Davao City Government