DISRUPTED infrastructure and damaged water sources failed to stop relief operations in Barangay Sta. Fe, San Marcelino town as humanitarian workers and local residents formed a human chain to deliver critical supplies to communities cut off by an August 9 debris flow.
When the primary crossing connecting northern and southern Sta. Fe was compromised, standard vehicle access became impossible.
In response, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) responders, local government unit officials, and community members manually passed 10-liter jerry cans of potable water hand-to-hand across the hazardous terrain to reach isolated families on the other side.
“People need help now. If we cannot bring the assistance through the usual way, we find another way. We will do what is necessary to reach the people who need us,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.
Through its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative, the PRC deployed 2,000 jerry cans targeting 1,000 affected households.
On September 10 alone, the operation provided safe drinking water to 650 families and distributed hot meals to 1,253 individuals.
Beyond immediate aid distribution, responders provided medical consultations to 47 residents, delivered hygiene instruction to 650 people, and established dedicated First Aid and Welfare stations on-site.
PRC teams also conducted a Child-Friendly Space session catering to 89 individuals.
The response in Sta. Fe forms part of a broader province-wide relief campaign across Zambales.
To date, PRC operations across the province have provided over 5,860 hot meals, distributed hygiene kits to 2,046 individuals, conducted health teaching sessions for more than 2,600 residents, and deployed ambulance support for critical situations.
