The government of Qatar allocated $100,000 to the Philippines to assist the victims of the earthquake that rocked the country in late July. The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) provided the fund, taken from the Disaster Response Fund, to help the victims.
ALSO READ: Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke? What You Need to Know
The earthquake that struck the Philippines on the morning of 22 July 2022 has 7.0 magnitude. It affected the provinces near Abra, located in Northwestern Luzon.
Emergency Assistance from Qatar to the Philippines
Qatar sent help to the earthquake victims in the Philippines, with funds taken from QRCS, according to a report from Doha News. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country in July of this year, with more damages felt in Abra and nearby provinces in Northwestern Luzon. The infrastructure and agriculture sectors suffered from the earthquake, with losses pegged to more than Php 1 billion. There were also casualties.
The humanitarian assistance from Qatar consisted of a food truck, which was used to serve meals to about 500 households that were badly affected by the disaster. Field personnel was also sent to the Philippines to assess the damage.
In previous years, the State of Qatar has also sent humanitarian assistance to the Filipinos. For one, Qatar helped the victims of typhoons Odette (international name Rai) and Ulysses (international name Vamco). They also donated COVID vaccines.
Earthquakes in the Philippines
The Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes in a year. Some of these are light and unnoticed, but some have a strong magnitude that can cause damage to people and their properties. The country sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. There are tectonic plates along this location, which cause earthquakes.
According to the FilipiKnow website, there were 10 recorded strongest earthquakes in the Philippines. The top strongest earthquake had a 8.0 magnitude which occurred in Sultan Kudarat in 1976.
Safety Tips During the Earthquake
While Qatar does not experience a lot of earthquakes, it would be good for our kababayans working in the Gulf nation to be aware of what to do in case it happens.
In case of earthquakes, the most important reminder from the Center for Disease Control is to drop, cover, and hold on. Take note of these details:
- Drop on your hands and knees to prevent the strong vibration from knocking you down. Even if you are in this position, you can still move to a safer place.
- Cover the neck and head with your arms or hands. For solid protection, it is also better to hide under a strong desk or table to prevent any debris from falling on you. Your other option would be to stand against a wall or low furniture that won’t fall.
- Hold on to your position until the earthquake stops. Secure your neck and head at all times.
- When the earthquake starts, you are much safer if you remain inside your house or a room. Be sure to keep away from glass or windows that might shatter near you in case the earthquake is strong.
- On the other hand, if you are outside when there is an earthquake, you should remain outside. But do not stand near trees, poles, and buildings. Nor should you stay near windows that might shatter.
READ NEXT: How You Can Apply as a Nurse in Qatar