ReliefWeb

Situation Update

A Richter scale 6.5 magnitude earthquake has struck the island of Leyte, Philippines on 6 July 2017 around 16:00 local time. Strong to very strong ground shaking was experienced in Tacloban and Ormoc cities and neighboring province of Cebu. At least 241 aftershocks have been record but no tsunami warning is raised.

Based on the government report as of today, 2 deaths and 72 injuries are confirmed in Leyte, mainly due to the collapsed buildings. 6 people were rescued from a collapsed building. A landslide was reported in Leyte.

Initial assessment indicated no major damages. All roads and bridges are passable and the communication is stable. Power outage has been affecting Leyte, Bohol, Cebu and Samar following the earthquake. Schools are suspended for structural integrity assessment in Tacloban and Ormoc cities.

The Philippine government has been conducting assessments and providing assistance to the affected people, including search and rescue, emergency medical aid and provision of food and non-food items.

Red Cross Actions

In response to the earthquakes, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is undertaking an emergency operation. The PRC operation center is fully active and providing relief services as below.

• For the first 6 hours after earthquake, together with local government response teams, PRC response teams have been conducting search and rescue operation for the individuals trapped in the collapsed building in Leyte.

• PRC has mobilized around 50 personnel and 8 ambulances for the response in Leyte, Cebu, Ormoc, Iloilo and Hilongos immediately.

• PRC is also providing first aid services, hot meals, psychosocial support in hospitals and evacuation centers. Total 56 people have been benefited.

• Restoring family link service had been activated for families that had missing members due to the earthquakes.

• PRC is continuing the rapid assessment and remaining on alert and standby.

Hong Kong Red Cross Actions

Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) is monitoring the latest situation and in close contact with the Philippine Red Cross and the International Red Cross for potential support based on detail need assessment.

Emergency tracing service is offered to people in Hong Kong who are looking for missing family members in Philippines due to the earthquakes. Please contact our staff for enquiry on emergency tracing service:

Email: emertracing@redcross.org.hk Tel. No.: 2507-7135 (Office Hour: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays; Please leave voice message during non-office hours and our staff will get back to you at the earliest.)

Fax: 3103-4010 Website: http://www.redcross.org.hk/tc/tracing_service/emergency_tracing_form.html

General Enquiry Please call 2802-0016, fax to 2802-0017 or email to relief@redcross.org.hk.

Other Reports International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)