Manila, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reported that 718,208 individuals or 145,641 families affected by super typhoon Yolanda are now staying in 581 evacuation centres in 29 provinces in seven regions of the country.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the affected individuals were from regions 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Secretary Soliman said that the provinces, which were along the path of the most powerful storm in the world, include Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Northern Cebu, Bantayan Island, Camotes Island, Northern Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Dinagat Prov., Masbate, Ticao Island, Southern Sorsogon, Romblon, Surigao del Norte and rest of Caraga.
She said that the affected individuals in the evacuation centres are being served through the prepositioned family food packs in the provinces, in coordination with the DSWD regional offices and local government units (LGUs).
The DSWD Secretary added that P30 million additional stand-by fund was released to these provinces as an augmentation of the relief distribution.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) meanwhile is still verifying reports from different localities claiming more than 50 have died and hundreds wounded during Yolanda’s devastation. Initial report from the NDRRMC stated only 3 dead and 7 injured.
Super typhoon Yolanda made its landfall six times in five provinces. It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Sunday morning.
