Typhoon Lando: Over 15,000 people in evacuation centers

MANILA, Philippines – As of Sunday, October 18, a total of 16,351 individuals have been evacuated due to Typhoon Lando (Koppu), according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Lando has affected families across Regions I, II,III, IV-A, V, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

A total of 15,240 individuals are currently staying in 109 evacuation centers managed by local government units (LGUs). Meanwhile, over a thousand more are outside evacuation centers but are also being served, the DSWD reported. 

Welfare Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman assured that LGUs have prepositioned food packs for those staying in evacuation centers. The local governments of Regions I, II, III, and V provided P398,520 worth of disaster assistance to affected families.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through the DSWD is also prepared to augment the resources of LGUs to address the needs of affected families, according to Soliman.

LGUs are partnering with the DSWD in providing relief augmentation and in identifying needed services.

“We should not be complacent even if we observe that there is improvement in the weather condition. We should continue to be on alert,” Soliman said in a press statement.

Typhoon Lando is seen to stay in northern Luzon possibly until Tuesday, October 20. – Rappler.com