Manila, July 20 -- The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has mobilized emergency shelter assistance for families affected by Severe Tropical Storm "Crising" (Wipha), which left 356 houses damaged in three regions.

As of Saturday noon, DHSUD regional offices reported 307 homes partially damaged and 49 totally destroyed, with the highest number of cases in Region VI (Western Visayas) at 183, followed by Region IX with 87 and the Negros Island Region with 65.

To aid the displaced families, DHSUD has requested 5,000 shelter-grade tarpaulins from the International Organization for Migration for distribution in the hardest-hit areas, particularly Region VI and Negros Island.

"In compliance with the directive of Pr...