By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – Saudi Arabia is set to provide humanitarian relief assistance to the victims affected by the earthquake that rocked Mindanao in June.
The aid will be coursed through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Disaster Response Management Bureau.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Manila said the assistance is expected to benefit approximately 120,000 individuals affected by the tremor.
“This initiative falls within the framework of the humanitarian and relief efforts provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to support those affected by disasters and crises, fulfill their basic needs and alleviate their suffering,” it said.
Under the agreement, KSrelief will provide at least 15,500 personal hygiene kits, 15,500 shelter kits, and 150 mobile latrines across displacement camps in Jose Abad Santos and Malita, Davao Occidental; Sarangani; South Cotabato; Sultan Kudarat; General Santos City; and the Bangsamoro region.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted Sarangani province at 7:37 a.m. on June 8, just as classes in public schools officially opened.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in its last update on July 8, said the tremor resulted in 92 deaths and 1,316 injured. Twenty were reported missing. (PNA)
