Eastern Samar: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed 6,397 family food packs (FFPs) to families severely impacted by flooding due to a shear line in Eastern Samar province last week. The distribution prioritized four towns that experienced significant flooding: Arteche, Jipapad, Maslog, and Oras.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD allocated 1,230 FFPs to Arteche, 1,883 to Jipapad, 1,584 to Maslog, and 1,700 to Oras town. The focus on these areas was due to the severe flooding caused by continuous rains brought by the weather disturbance, as noted in a DSWD report released on Monday.

The shear line last week affected the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, displacing 25,872 families across 18 towns. The relief distribution aims to meet the immediate food needs of families whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the prolonged rains and flooding associated with the shear line's effects in the region, as stated by the DSWD regional office.

Each food pack is sufficient to sustain a family of two to three members for two to three days. Each pack, valued at PHP500, contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, two cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of energy drink.

As outlined in the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, local governments are the initial responders, and the DSWD is responsible for augmenting response efforts after disasters.