More than Php 87 million worth of humanitarian aid was dispensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families affected by the effects of the shear line in Mindanao as of January 30.

DSWD Asst. Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said on Wednesday (January 31) that the DSWD has distributed food and non-food items to the families affected by the weather disturbances from the different provinces in Davao and Caraga Regions.

“The DSWD continues to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) for their affected population to ensure that they are given the proper assistance,” Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.

According to Asst. Sec. Lopez, a total of 129,469 family food packs (FFPs) were distributed to the families affected by the effects of the shear line in the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Agusan del Sur.

The DSWD also provided some of the affected population with hygiene kits, sleeping kits, family kits, modular tents, and other non-food items.

“We assure the affected localities that their immediate needs, in times of disasters like this, will be addressed by the agency,” Asst. Sec. Lopez pointed out.

As of January 30, the agency recorded a total of 223,313 affected families or 930,505 individuals from different localities in Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga Regions, according to the DSWD spokesperson.

Of these, Asst. Sec. Lopez noted that 133 families or some 430 persons were displaced and currently taking temporary shelter in designated evacuation centers and in the residences of their relatives or friends.

“The DSWD is ready and has available funds to continue supporting the LGUs, if the need arises,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

To date, the Department has over Php 1.33 billion in stockpile and standby funds that can be used to support the relief needs of the families affected by the effects of shear line.#