"From the outset of this calamity, Philippine National Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to carry out rescue operations and meet the immediate needs of flood victims, such as drinking water and food", explains Iris Von Birgelen, the ICRC delegate in charge of cooperation with the PNRC. "We are supporting their relief efforts financially and providing items available in the ICRC warehouse. We are also assisting rescue and assessment teams".

Relief items – including blankets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, jerrycans to carry drinking water and hygiene items – will be sent today from the ICRC warehouse in Davao City to the PNRC in Manila for distribution to 3,000 flood-affected families. The ICRC has also been supporting the PNRC's efforts to distribute clean drinking water to the affected families.

In the aftermath of the flooding, the risk of water-borne disease is high. ICRC water engineers are therefore helping the PNRC to carry out further assessments in affected areas. Contact is being maintained with the national authorities in order to coordinate the efforts that are being undertaken throughout the region.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the dramatic flooding in the Philippines. To date, the National Capital Region and surrounding areas have suffered the worst damage. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes because of rising water levels. Numerous houses have been damaged or destroyed. Infrastructure has been badly affected, disrupting public services.