The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office-Eastern Visayas (DSWD-FO-8) delivered 23,400 family food packs on Saturday to Eastern Samar families affected by recent flooding caused by the shear line.

DSWD Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said FO-8 immediately dispatched the food packs following a request from the provincial government.

“Secretary Rex Gatchalian instructed our field office in Eastern Visayas to swiftly deliver the family food packs,” Dumlao said in a news release Saturday.

As of March 21, a total of 28,582 families or 98,805 persons from 165 villages in the region have been affected by the weather disturbance.

Of these, 1,665 families or 6,288 persons were displaced by flooding and are currently taking temporary shelter in evacuation centers or staying with their relatives or friends.

“DSWD FO-8 continues to monitor the situation and coordinate closely with local government units to assess the needs of flood-affected families. Its Quick Response Team is also on standby for activation if the need arises,” Dumlao said.

To date, the DSWD maintains more than PHP952 million in stockpiles and standby funds. (PNA)