Helping the Philippines by Len Manikan

As you may already know, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) the strongest typhoon in history wreaked havoc on Central Philippines on November 8, 2013.  Forty-four provinces in 8 regions have been affected. The typhoon did not last more than 6 hours in any one area but left massive devastation.  Official reports as of November 22 have placed the numbers at 4,015 dead, 18,567 injured, 1,602 missing.  Search and retrieval operations are still ongoing, so the numbers are expected  to rise in the coming days.  1,085, 446 houses are totally and partially damaged.  A total of 81,792 families are still staying in 1,529 evacuation centers.   We constantly experience natural calamities but we have never seen destruction of this magnitude.

 

I have personally met and talked with some of the survivors when I volunteered to provide psychological first aid to those who have been transported from the typhoon affected areas to Manila via C-130s.  Many of them would be joining their relatives in and around Metro Manila, many others don’t know anyone here but took their chance to escape the ravaged towns or villages where food and fresh clean water have become scarce.  They are left with nothing but the clothes they had on when Haiyan hit them.  There are hundreds of thousands more now living in evacuation centers

 

The Filipinos are very resilient and strong-willed.  One day soon they will start rebuilding their lives, in fact some of them have already started gathering any materials that could still be salvaged to build make-shift houses or repair whatever is left of their homes.  But for now they still need support to help them get by day by day.   It will take months before they can go back to their normal lives.

 

While  tremendous amount of aid have been pledged to our government, these are for immediate relief, rescue and rehabilitation.  The special need of women for personal hygiene though not entirely overlooked is often neglected or not prioritized.

  

In this vein, I would like to appeal for your support.  I have banded together with female colleagues and friends to raise funds specifically for “Yolanda women and babies” in least served areas in Samar Province.  Samar is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. 

 

Whatever amount we raise will be used to purchase sanitary napkins, baby diapers, and baby wipes. Why these items?  Because these items are always lacking in relief packs given to survivors.  It is our way to help reduce the discomfort of women - as mothers and caregivers - while living in cramped evacuation centers.

   

We are in contact with local organizations where the items would be coursed through for distribution in evacuation centers.   A dollar, a pound, or a euro that you can share can already go a long way if pooled together.  A pack of sanitary napkins (8’s) costs about 30 pesos ($ 0.68)

 

We are not an organized group.  We are operating on trust system.  Donations can be deposited to our personal bank accounts which will later be centralized.  For those interested to donate, I will give details of my personal bank account.  We will regularly report to you the status of our solicitation and keep you updated about the distribution of the items.   

 

Thank you in advance.

Len