Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman instructed all DSWD Field Offices in regions affected by Typhoon Yolanda to ensure speedy distribution of family food packs to the victims.

“We have to move fast considering the extent of the devastation. People in the worst-hit areas need food, water and medicines,” she said.

The Secretary flew this morning to Tacloban City to assess the situation of the evacuees and lead in the distribution of relief packs.

As of 12 noon, a total of 944,586 families with 4.28 million persons from Regions IV-A and B, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, and CARAGA have been affected.

Of the number, 71,623 families or 330,914 persons are staying in 1,223 evacuation centers in the affected areas.

DSWD has initially provided P6.4 million worth of relief assistance to the affected families in Bicol region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

Some 25,000 food packs and 4,310 bottled water are scheduled to be airlifted.

A total of 42,550 family food packs are prepositioned in the affected provinces ready for distribution.

Repacking of family food packs continues at the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) along Chapel Road in Pasay City and at the  DSWD regional offices.

Individuals and groups who are interested to volunteer can call NROC at telephone numbers 851-2681 and 511-1259  for shifting schedule.

Secretary Soliman thanked the 161 volunteers who went to NROC on November 7 and 8 to help in the repacking of family food packs.   ###