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THE
church’s social action arm, the National Secretariat for
Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa), is about ready
to send victims of Typhoon Frank something not usually
thought of by donors and donor-agencies—a 30-piece set
in sacks that will bridge what the others had been
giving, which usually include rice, sardines, instant
noodles, water, etc.
Elvira
Manalansan, Nassa program coordinator for relief and
rehabilitation, said they are aware the needs of
calamity victims go beyond food and sleeping mats—so
their donated items include plates, spoons and forks,
drinking glasses, mosquito nets, mats, blankets, cups
and saucers, shampoo, bath and laundry soaps, a pail and
towels.
She said
these items are usually overlooked when helping victims
who lost homes and livelihoods. “We’re simply responding
based on the type of needs that were reported to us by
our local social action offices.”
She
added the relief sacks also contain kalderos, a
frying pan, toothpastes and toothbrushes, sanitary
napkins, underwear for men and women besides food items
like rice, noodles, sardines and coffee.
These
relief goods are all brand-new, she said, adding the
sacks will be initially sent to Jaro in Iloilo and to
Cotabato where hundreds of families lost their homes
more than a week ago. Around 1,000 sacks will be sent to
Jaro and about the same number to Cotabato.
Nassa
has already sent 1,800 sacks of rice to 15 social-action
centers in Cotabato, Capiz, Zamboanga, Antique, Lucena,
Kalibo, Naval, Zambales, Marbel, Romblon, Antipolo and
Aurora.
Manalansan said Nassa does not usually distribute a
complete set of relief goods but decided to do so in
cases when houses are also seriously damaged or lost in
a calamity.
“Every
time we give, we’re not just thinking of helping them
sustain their daily food needs; we also want to help
them start a brand-new life,” she said.
She
added that Nassa is in negotiation with Malacañang over
the use of C-130 planes to deliver the relief goods to
Jaro and Cotabato, and may also tap shipping companies
for help.
Manalansan said the other stricken areas will also
receive relief goods after Jaro and Cotabato, saying
their workers and volunteers are continuing to pack the
goods.
Sister
Roseann Mallillin, the agency’s executive secretary,
earlier said a number of people have been donating cash
to help in the relief effort for Typhoon Frank victims.
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