It was way past midnight when Sister Esguerra and her group of 40 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers finished repacking 1500 sets of hygiene kits intended for distribution to families in Masantol, Pampanga.
The Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through LDS Charities initially released 4 million pesos to cover relief projects in connection with Labuyo, Maring and Nardo's trail of disaster which left many homeless as floodwaters rose to unexpected heights.
GMA Kapuso Foundation which has been a partner of LDS Charities in many humanitarian projects helped identify areas barely able to receive help. These areas would receive food, hygiene and sleeping kits.
At the height of Maring, chapels were used as evacuation centers as people left their homes to find higher, safer grounds. Bishops of the Church immediately went into action providing basic needs to evacuees.
The Church also partnered with Kabalikat Civicom and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the distribution of food and hygiene kits in Rodriguez, Rizal over the weekend.
Distribution of food, sleeping and hygiene kits will continue in hard to reach areas in Pampanga and Rizal together with Mormon Helping Hands volunteers who would provide service labor for the repacking and distribution of goods.
Jairus Perez, project head, together with coordinators on the ground will continue to monitor and work with DSWD and GMA Kapuso to determine additional needs. The first wave of relief distribution is expected to help around 60,000 families affected by the flood.
He said, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to provide emergency response when needed. This response is usually accomplished in partnership with local relief organizations. We do this because we follow the example and teaching of Jesus Christ to help others.”
