Amidst the ongoing military clashes in Marawi City, evacuees can now attend to their basic hygiene needs, such as taking a bath and proper washing.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has installed 20 portalets in Iligan, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur, which will benefit the thousands of displaced individuals currently staying in evacuation centers. The Saguiaran Evacuation Center was provided with eight portalets (four for males, and four for females), Pantar, Lanao del Norte with four portalets, Brgy. Sta. Elena with six portalets, and Maria Cristina Evacuation Center in Iligan City was given two.
“Cleanliness is a major concern whenever people are congested in evacuation centers. The Red Cross, through our dedicated staff and volunteers, installed portalets to provide families and individuals with better hygiene and quality of sanitation,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.
The installation was made possible through the help of PRC staff and volunteers on the ground. To maintain the cleanliness of the portalets, PRC recruited evacueesto head the monitoring and maintenance of the public toilets. The set up of shower facilities are still ongoing.
To ensure safe and clean drinking water, PRC also provided some 56,000 individuals with 202,000 liters of water. To spread awareness about proper hygiene, PRC, through its Health Service, continuously provides hygiene promotion for children and their parents.
“Congratulations to our Philippine Red Cross volunteers for helping our brothers and sisters in Marawi obtain safe water for drinking. Good work,” said Gordon on Twitter.
As of date, thousands of individuals are staying in several evacuation centers in Marawi City and Iligan City.
