This Christmas season is sad for the Filipino nation. As we are recovering from the financial impact of the pandemic, our brothers and sisters in Visayas and Mindanao were devastated by Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai).
Typhoon Odette made 9 landfalls in several islands in Visayas and Mindanao from December 17 to 18.
Heavily affected are the coastal towns in Siargao, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu and Palawan. The devastation was massive and we need all your help to continuously rehabilitate these coastal towns.
Typically in relief efforts, Phase 1 is providing Basic Needs, which include:
• Basic medicines – cough, cold, fever
• Basic food (canned, ready to eat noodles)
• Solar portable lamps
• Used tarps (to put roof over their heads, no evacuation centers, 95% wiped out)
• Blankets/towels
• Clothing
• Water
• Butane cooking stove (just to tide them over for a week or 2)
Phase 2 next year is more focused on Rehabilitation of the community.
TzuChi Foundation
Master Cheng Yen founded Tzu Chi in 1966, wishing to give ordinary people the chance to put compassion into action and find inner peace and joy while serving the world.
Tzu Chi reached the Philippines in 1994 and now has volunteers in Luzon: Metro Manila, Bicol, Pampanga; Visayas: Bohol, Cebu, Ormoc, Palo, Tactoban; and Mindanao: Davao and Zamboanga.
One of the fastest groups to mobilize in any calamity is the Tzuchi Foundation. I personally saw their work in Tacloban during the Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Rehabilitation.
Also, they are known for their Cash for Work program that gives more than the minimum wage per day to those typhoon victims willing to help in the relief, cleaning and rehabilitation efforts.
They are currently supporting the devastated coastal towns of Leyte, Bohol and Cebu.
Support TzuChi Foundation via their bank accounts:
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Inc.
METROBANK Account Number: 163-3-163-07190-9
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Inc.
BDO Account Number: 011-9-7800-180-0
Please screenshot deposit with your name so that they can send you the donation receipt.
UNICEF
According to Unicef, Typhoon Odette affected almost 1 million children in various parts of the Philippines. UNICEF has just sent initial supplies for the needs of children and their families—food, water, medicines, clothing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cooking equipment, family kits with sleeping materials, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, disaster kits, tents for healthcare facilities and go bags—initially to Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao City, and Surigao del Norte.
The most urgent requirements in the communities they support are Water Purification and Water kits, Sanitation and Hygiene Kits, and Child Friendly Spaces Tents.
Help children and families affected by Typhoon Odette by donating now at https://donate.unicef.ph.
Siagao Donation via Isabelle Royale
Our friend Nelson Terrible of Club Balai Isabel in Taal Lake was also quick to support the communities in Siargao. They were fast in mobilizing relief operations which started last Sunday, Dec. 19 through the Philippine Coast Guard. They have local connections in Siargao and are dedicated to the relief and long term rehabilitation of the coastal communities in Siargao.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure you have contributed already to the relief efforts, but the communities need ongoing support and long term intervention.
Make sure to support Typhoon Odette Victims via NGOs or organizations that are transparent, impactful and committed to the long term rehabilitation of the devastated communities.
Praying that we all have a better Christmas for all this 2021.
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Thanks to Nikkei Team for the experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.