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More than 200,000 individuals were affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Abra and other areas in Northern Luzon this week, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Saturday, July 30.

The earthquake that struck Tayum, Abra last July 27 impacted 62,024 families or 228,238 individuals from 639 barangays in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), and Cagayan Valley (Region 2).

There were also 1,910 families or 6,176 individuals that had to be evacuated and were temporarily staying in evacuation centers while 6,490 families or 27,207 individuals left their houses and were staying with their relatives or friends while damage assessment was ongoing to ensure the structural integrity of their homes.

Meanwhile, relief operations were ongoing as a total of P5.4 million worth of food and non-food items were distributed to the affected individuals.

Among the assistance provided by the government include family food packs, modular tents, financial aid, hygiene kits, family tents, kitchecn kits, and laminated sacks.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also continued to facilitate the transport of relief goods to the quake-affected areas.

The Philippine Air Force utilized two S-70i Black Hawks, Super Huey and Huey II helicopters in delivering 1,937 family packs to different areas in Northern Luzon on July 29.

Philippine Army troops from the 71st Infantyr Battalion also worked hand in hand to clear key roads blocked by landslides in Brgy. Tubtuba, Tubo, Abra on July 28.

Additionally, reservists from the 1st Regional Community Defense Group, Reserve Command of the Philippine Army were mobilized to distribute aid to the affected residents in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

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