WITH Super Typhoon 'Odette' (international name: 'Rai') wreaking havoc in the Visayas and Mindanao regions and affecting more than 200,000 individuals, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), led by PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard 'Dick' Gordon, stayed true to its mantra of being always first, always ready and always there, as it continued to respond urgently to reach out to the most affected communities.

On December 19, together with respective local government government units (LGUs), PRC volunteers and staff on the ground continued their assessment, clearing operations, cleanup, water distribution, food item purchasing and hot meal distribution.