by Michaela Romulo
Posted on 11/12/2013 5:12 PM | Updated 11/13/2013 1:21 AM
MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos worldwide were shocked by the devastation left behind by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). (Read: Aid official: Destruction like the aftermath of a tsunami)
Communication lines broke down in parts of Leyte and Samar. Families in other parts of the Philippines and even outside the country have been unable to communicate with their loved ones in the devestated areas. The waiting game has been agonizing. (READ: #YolandaPH person finder: Looking for friends, relatives, affected areas?)
Relief efforts began as soon as the storm left. The eyes of the world media are on the Philippines. In different areas of the affected region, government agencies, businesses, and NGOs, are trying to focus their efforts on providing relief for the millions left without food, water and proper medicine.
Learning about the storm through international news and social media, Filipinos outside the country have also heeded the call to help. (READ: #ReliefPH: Victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) need your help)
Finding comfort in the community
After watching devastating images of the Visayas broadcast on television and online, Lynza Gonzalez from Houston Texas worried about her sisters and brothers whom she has not heard from since Yolanda swept through the region.
"I'm hoping that they are still alive. I have been calling but nobody answers," Gonzalez told KTRK-TV, Houston's local ABC News affiliate.
Gonzalez is desperate to travel back to the Philippines to find out the fate of her family, but in the meantime all she can do is seek comfort with the Houston Filipino community in organizing relief efforts.
Just a few weeks earlier, the community came together for a fundraiser to benefit victims of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit in October the same region ravaged by the strong winds and storm surges brought by Haiyan. With earthquake victims still trying to get back on their feet, another fundraiser is underway to benefit those affected by the storm.
In San Diego, home to around 150,000 Filipinos, the US chapter of Gawad Kalinga already mobilized relief efforts. Gawad Kalinga is distributing food packs in coordination with the Philippine military to get the aid to victims the quickest way possible.
"There is no clean water anywhere. Water is going to be the key," Tony Olaes, CEO of Gawad Kalinga USA, told NBC San Diego.
Pinoys in Pamplona
Pinoys in Pamplona, Spain, said they felt helpless at first – and then they decided to do something. "When you're far away and you see everything that's happening in the Philippines flooding your Twitter and Facebook newsfeeds, the first thing you feel is helplessness. But then come the posts about relief efforts, and then you ask yourself, 'what can I do from here?'" said Alex Gemperle, a student from the University of Navarra.
Alex and friend Selina Artadi are organizing a benifit party for Haiyan victims at a local bar, Valentinos, this Saturday, November 16. An entrance fee of 5 euros will be charged at the door and all proceeds will be forwarded to the Red Cross' relief efforts in the Philippines.
They planned a party fundraiser at a house, but were surprised when they learned more people than anticipated were attending. Valentinos offered to host the fundraiser for free and help spread the word. Over 500 people have already been invited to attend the event.
According to Gemperle, "The support of the community has been realy touching."
Here is a running list of overseas relief efforts of Filipino organizations and efforts around the world.
USA
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Omega, PASA and Soulciety are hosting a typhoon relief drive at California State University East Bay, for the victims. They are collecting monetary donations, non-perishable food items, toiletries and first aid kits. Contact Mason Ignacio mason@pasacsueb.org, Romer Penalosa romer.empath.100@gmail.com, Dalena Tran Dtran233@horizon.csueastbay.edu, or Ryan Medina r.medina724@yahoo.com for inquiries.
The Ugly Kitchen at 103 First Ave. New York, New York is holding a fundraiser on Tuesday November 12 from 5 pm-11 pm. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross Philippines.
Singing in the Rain: Benefit Concert for Philippine Typhoon Victims, organized by the Harvard Philippine Forum at Quincy Dining Hall, is holding a concert on November 15 at 58 Plympton Street, Cambridge. Suggested donation at the door is $5. For those who can't go but would still like to help, you can through their Indiegogo page.
Canada
Celebrity Tributes for Philippine Typhoon Haiyan Victims http://www.luisamarshall.com/celebrity-tributes-philippine-typhoon-haiyan-victims/ Thursday, November 14 at Grand Taj Banquet Hall, Unit 6, 8388 128 St. Surry, BC, V3W 4G2. Tickets are $30.
Singapore
Michael Genove and other overseas Filipino workers in Singapore are holding a relief drive for victims of Typhoon Yolanda. They have donation boxes prepared at 52 Choa Chu Kang North 7 Regent Grove Tower B1, nearest MRT is Yew Tee. Michael may be contacted at +65 81281590.
Spain
Party for a Cause is charging a 5-euro entrance fee per person on November 16, 7 pm onwards at Valentino, Avenida de Bayona 32 Bajo Trasera 31008 Pamplona, Spain. All proceeds will be forwarded to the Philippine Red Cross.
Online
World Food Programme Philippines is accepting donations through their website
For the Ayala Foundation's "Laging Handa Fund," overseas donors can use this online portal for donations.
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter and life-saving supplies to families around the world who are affected by disasters. Donations are welcome through its website. Know more about their efforts in the Philippines for victims of Typhoon Yolanda here.
Save the Children is collecting donations through its website. Save the Children has a team on the ground in Tacloban working to respond to this emergency. They are focusing on blankets and mosquito nets for the affected families.
UNICEF is accepting online cash donations through its website.
ANCOP USA Foundation for international donations through this website.
United States residents can make tax-deductable donations through the US Philippines Society.
The Olahay Family from Sweden started an online fundraiser to help recover the homes of the children of San Roque, Tanauan, Leyte. You may support their campaign here.
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada is appealing to members of credit unions and cooperatives across Canada for financial support to aid victims of Haiyan. Donations can be made online or by mail to the Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada, 275 Bank Street, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2L6. Please indicate that your donation is designated for the Philippines Flood Relief Fund. Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10.
The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, an alliance of Filipino organizations and individuals in the United States, is collecting monetary donations for the relief and rehabilitation of typhoon victims. More information can be found in their website.
Give2Asia, a US-based social enterprise that serves as a catalyst for philanthropic investment in Asia, is collecting funds online for the Typhoon Yolanda victims. More details can be found on their website.
Thresher Shark Divers is accepting donations to help the victims of the recent typhoon on Malapascua Island through a fundraising website.
Groupon Philippines is accepting donations through its website.
Streetlight Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Tacloban, Philippines, was directly in the path of the typhoon. You can help by donating by Pay Pal to:help@streetlight.org. Or via bank: 4202 31 56606. IBAN: NO42 4202 31 56606 SWIFT: SPTRNO22
Are there relief efforts going on where you live? Let us know. Email move.ph@rappler.com or comment below. – With reports from Ryan Macasero/Rappler.com
Help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan). Visit Rappler's list of ongoing relief operations in your area. Tell us about your relief and recovery initiatives, email move.ph@rappler.com or tweet us @moveph.
Visit rappler.com/typhoon-yolanda for the latest updates on Typhoon Yolanda.
More from our typhoon Yolanda coverage:
#ReliefPH: Victims of Typhoon Yolanda need your help
#YolandaPH: Looking for friends, relatives in affected areas?
Help map cell signals in areas affected by Yolanda
TIMELINE: Super Typhoon Yolanda
Worried Pinoys use social media to find loved ones
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