Red Cross better able to respond to Rota post-Bolaven
The NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross feels it is much better prepared to respond to Rota after the passage of Typhoon Bolaven.
After Typhoon Mawar wreaked havoc on Rota and Guam just a few months ago, the Red Cross is better prepared to respond to those in need following Bolaven, according to Red Cross NMI Chapter director John Hirsch.
“We’ve got a fairly well-trained team on Rota right now and we’re working very closely with the mayor of Rota, Aubrey Hocog. So far, we’ve sent out over four pallets of relief supplies to Rota, which are on Rota right now. This is something we didn’t have prior to Mawar. We are in a much better position now than we were during Mawar. Our volunteers are also highly trained now and better ready to respond. Even the Municipality of Rota, Mayor Hocog has been through this now and she now knows what works so I believe she’s also in a much better place to help the people and respond to the community of Rota,” he said.
Currently, Hirsch said, all Red Cross teams are on full alert and ready to respond as soon as safely possible.
“We’ve got a team of 10 pre-deployed to Guam laying out our plan for relief operations. Also, we’ve deployed six generators to support shelters on Saipan and we will be deploying food and supplies to volunteers on Rota and Tinian. At this point we play a supportive role to the Public School System. We’re providing support to all shelters,” he said.
Once Gov. Arnold I. Palacios declares an all-clear, the Red Cross will activate all volunteers and supplies and roll them out to the islands that need them the most, most likely Rota, Hirsch said.
“As soon as there is an all-clear, Red Cross will activate all its volunteers and all its supplies. Our entire Red Cross program will be rolled out as soon as it’s safe to do so and we will hold distributions, conduct damage assessments, and we’ll be working with families regardless of eligibility. Every person impacted by the storm will be helped,” he said.
Reds Cross
