South Korea has donated a food truck to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for its “Hot Meals on Wheels” program that provides assistance to vulnerable people in times of disasters, conflicts, and pandemic.
PRC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC Secretary-General Elizabeth Zavalla and Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Inchul jointly presided over the donation turnover at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
The donated food truck is equipped with an industrial-size rice cooker, warmers, ovens, and burners where meals can be cooked and served right away to provide humanitarian assistance to affected people in times of disasyers.
The South Korean government and the PRC have been active partners in providing aid in response to disasters and emergencies.
Ambassador Kim said “Bayanihan is at the heart of Korea’s assistance for the Filipino people, in particular for those affected by natural disasters, and Korea is glad to partner with you even with the Philippine Red Cross in implementing its various humanitarian assistance efforts in the Philippines.”
In 2019, the Republic of South Korea supported families displaced by Mayon Volcano’s eruption and donated US$200,000 (PHP10 million) which helped the PRC reach thousands of individuals in Albay.
In that same year, the Korean government also donated an ambulance and a water tanker that will aid the most vulnerable communities needing immediate assistance. Currently, PRC has 15 food trucks nationwide ready to serve the most vulnerable.
“We thank the Korean Embassy for its continuous humanitarian assistance and trust provided to PRC and we will make sure that those most in need are directly benefitted,” Gordon said.