If the dreaded 7.2 magnitude earthquake that experts say is due to hit Metro Manila happens anytime soon, the search and rescue team from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is prepared to respond and provide life-saving services, after their deployment experience in Nepal.
Following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal, the 13-man search and rescue team from the PRC rendered valuable service in the quake-hit nation, including search, rescue and retrieval, as well as assisting in the post-earthquake recovery operations. Aside from search and rescue, they also helped the American Red Cross delegation in the assessment of the situation and the affected areas. After the search and rescue phase, they went on to Kathmandu to build Rubb halls, which are large tent-like structures that are often used in emergency situations and can also be used as temporary shelter for a large number of people.
“Among all the Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies, only the Philippine Red Cross sent a search and rescue team in Nepal,” said PRC chairman Richard J. Gordon. There were a total of 25 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies that sent a delegation to Nepal, consisting of a total of 260 international staff.
Banking from the team’s recent experience in Nepal, Gordon said that the search and rescue team members will assist in the formulation of concrete plans of action on how to the PRC will respond in case the dreaded “Big One” comes. “The teams from Nepal brought back with them valuable experience on post-earthquake operations that the Red Cross could apply in case of a major earthquake,” said Gordon.
Aziz Syed, cooperation coordinator of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who was in Kathmandu for a rapid deployment support mission was witness to the work of the PRC team in Nepal. According to Syed, people were positively surprised to find out that the PRC has search and rescue capacity.
“The Philippine Red Cross team for search and rescue worked together with the UN team and military teams from different countries, and they did a very good job. They went out to the most affected areas and operated for search and rescue,” said Syed.
After the search and rescue operations, the team went on to help in the overall response of the Red Cross Movement with their other capacities like logistics, water and sanitation, added Syed. He said that the PRC team was highly appreciated by all the Red Cross Movement partners in Nepal.
Expressing her gratitude to the teams, PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang said, “You have made the Red Cross and our nation proud. You have shown that PRC’s humanitarian work knows no geographic bounds.”
The ERU team was headed by Leonardo Ebajo, emergency response unit (ERU) manager from the PRC. Other members of the team include 1 from the Manila chapter, 4 volunteer staff from PRC national headquarters ERU, and 7 from Olongapo City/SBMA. Other members of the PRC ERU team include: Don Erikson Orje, Aldrin Benavidez Pacapac, Eric James Pinlac Talavera, Dave Dennis Nicolas Navida, Bernie Jay Santos, Rani Chuaco Cruz, Edwin Paule Santos, Jay-Arr Aquino Basa, Andre Perex Villanueva, Noel Bautista Lapid, Romeo Dela Cruz Paulmino, and HedionDela Cruz Esteban.