GORDON SENDS THREE MAN RED CROSS TEAM TO MYANMAR

Philippine National Red Cross Chairmand and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon sent off the first two members of a three man PNRC disaster assessment team to Myanmar where they will lend their expertise in disaster management, particularly in the areas of relief goods distribution and water sanitation.

Gordon personally sent off Nenita Briones, PNRC Cotabato Chapter Administrator, and Edwin Tatalagsa, PNRC Davao Chapter Disaster Management Service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Both have been part of Red Cross regional disaster response teams in Pakistan under the International Federeation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). A third member of the PNRC assessment team, Evelyn Lacsina, will join up with Briones and Tatalagsa in Myanmar. Lacsina has been to Myanmar in previous Red Cross missions.

Briones, Tatalagsa, and Lacsina will be the PNRC's representatives in the IFRC's regional disaster response team. The IFRC Regional Disaster Response Team is usually composed of 10 persons and in this instance, apart from the PNRC representatives, will include Red Cross representatives from Malaysia and Indonesia.

"The PNRC Team's mission is to create a more accurate assessment of the situation so that the International Red Cross can be better informed of the kind of aid and assistance that is needed. Along with the initial delivery of disaster relief, the more crucial part of disaster management is finding out exactly what is needed, where it is needed, and how badly it is needed - this is where we hope to make a big difference, quickly," said Gordon.

The PNRC team will first travel to Bangkok where they will coordinate with the Myanmar Red Cross and get visas. Gordon noted that being Red Cross, the Philippine disaster management experts can more easily get into Myanmar because Red Cross is known for its reputation for neutrality and independence as well as its non-political nature. He further emphasized that this reputation will enable Red Cross to more rapidly gain access into Myanmar and bring aid where it is most badly needed.

Gordon informed that the the IFRC has already raised an initial $ 6 Million in aid money from the American and Japanese Red Cross. The International Red Cross has likewise already landed a chartered aircraft in Myanmar, delivering 300 shelter kits, 600 tarps, and 3,700 water cannisters.

"The PNRC's sending of its disaster management experts to Myanmar is the manifestation of a continuing commitment to be a donor country. We started being a donor country in 2004 with all that we can muster and what matters here is that we are demonstrating our ability to contribute in a crucial way to alleviating human suffering," said Gordon.