Typhoon Hagupit: Philippine Red Cross volunteers on the frontline

Guest post by Nichola Jones, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
 
As Typhoon Hagupit swept across the Philippines this week with millions of people bracing themselves for the storm’s onslaught, Jiferson Cueto was among the hundreds of specially trained Philippine Red Cross volunteers stationed in areas yet to be hit by Hagupit.
 
The 24-year-old member of the Lucena branch in Quezon province says communities are concerned as the memory of previous typhoons looms large.

“People are scared because they remember the trauma of typhoons that have happened before,” Jiferson said.
 
“Because this typhoon is taking a very long time to reach our area, people are worrying about what will happen next.”
 
Jiferson joined the Red Cross after experiencing first-hand the devastating impact of 2009’s Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy, which killed hundreds of people across Central and Southern Luzon, Quezon and surrounding areas. “I saw many people killed in Typhoon Ondoy,” said Jiferson.

“It was a traumatic time for me and after that I knew I had to help people in those situations which is why I joined the Red Cross.”

 The Philippine Red Cross in Lucena has a mobile clinic, ambulance, rescue boat and 4x4s ready to be sent to the worst-hit areas. Food supplies for 1,000 families have also been packed.
 
Jiferson also ensures people are prepared – including his own family.
 
“I am always checking on my parents and my brothers and sisters to make sure they are ready and they know what to do if there is an emergency,” he said.

“Being prepared and making sure people know the Red Cross is there for them is very important.”