COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Lanao del Sur provincial government has declared a state of calamity to maximize delivery of relief services to thousands affected by tropical storm Vinta. Thousands of the province's residents have been displaced by flash floods that swept through more than a dozen Lanao del Sur towns as Vinta pummeled parts of the country last week. Emergency responders from the Lanao del Sur provincial government and the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team of the Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao have been reaching out since December 23 to villagers affected by Vinta. Personnel of the Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office have also been sent to address the medical needs of those affected by the storm. Minalang said their humanitarian missions are being supported extensively by the office of the Lanao Sur provincial governor and the executive department of ARMM.

Source: Philippine Star December 29, 2017 00:33 UTC