The aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan; survivors walking past dead bodies and destroyed houses. Singapore organisations are putting together a relief effort for Philippines. Picture credit: AFP
At 8.02 am on Friday 8th November, the wrath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda swept through Philippines. Labeled by the Telegraph UK as ‘Philippines worst natural disaster’, it bulldozed across Philippines ‘hitting 25 provinces’, damaging Samar Island, and destroying most of Tacloban city.
Tacloban authorities estimated 10,000 deaths, and an estimated of 350,000 were hauled from their homes in that city alone.
The destruction has devastated the occupants of the affected areas in Philippines. But they are not the only victims. Imagine the plight of those living here whose families are back home caught in the middle of unstoppable mother nature.
With communications and power down, it is a nightmare for Filipinos in Singapore to contact home. Viber, a mobile app, announced free calls for Philippine users to non-Viber numbers as a way to alleviate the plight.
ABC-CBN News.com released the updated list of Tacloban survivors this morning, which will continue to be updated as more information comes to light.
Typhoon Yolanda Person Finder
Alternatively, you can search for them through Google’s Typhoon Yolanda Person Finder search engine.
The Filipino community can also seek support by contacting Philippine Bayanihan Society of Singapore (43 Pasir Panjang Road, Tel: +65 64743700).
Our hearts and prayers go out to our less fortunate neighbours. If you’d like to participate in the relief effort for the Typhoon Yolanda victims, there are organisations in Singapore you could forward your donations to.
Monetary donations can be made at:
1. Lucky Plaza Cebu Pacific (#03-75, 304 Orchard Road, Tel: +65 6735 1600).
2. iREMIT (Lucky Plaza #03-69, Tel: +65 6732 3435), and any Philippines National Bank branch.
Do not worry about remembering the name of the organisations as you’ll be provided a list of the approved NGOs upon making your monetary donation.
3. On the other hand if you make a donation via Metrobank (Lucky Plaza #03-30, Tel: +65 6734 4648 /+65 6734 2748), present the details shown below and the transaction fee will be waived.
The Lucky Plaza Management office has confirmed Lucky Plaza management are not involved in the relief effort collection, so please do not forward your contribution to their ticketing counter.
4. You can also donate directly to Philippines Red Cross with your credit card or PayPal.
5. Donate to Save the Children.
6. For more options on the organisations you can forward your monetary contribution to and their details, please proceed to this Embassy of the Philippines link.
7. Victims of Haiyan, especially in Tacloban, are facing a mammoth issue– SHORTAGE OF WATER. Waves for Water will be heading to Philippines on Wednesday 13th November with “at least 100 water filters which will give 10,000+ people the gift of clean water at a time when they need it most!”. To contribute to this amazing initiative, click on WAVES FOR WATER!
Alternatively, you can contribute dry food and/or items of clothing to:
8. UPDATED! Stork’s Nest Singapore, with the support of the East Coast Mums’ Support group, have kicked off their donation drive recently. All donation items to be received by the collection centres latest 10am Monday 25th Nov 13. For more info, click on this link.
9. Afreight Cargo (Lucky Plaza #03-09, Tel: +65 6235 1011/+65 9111 7855).
10. Montessori for Children are organising an aid drive (click here for more info on Typhoon Yolanda Aid Drive by MFC).
11. Royal Box Express/ Royale Custom Cargo (Lucky Plaza #04-005, Tel: +65 6836 6183) also confirmed they are collecting men and women’s clothing, children’s toys, dry goods, household items, and anything you’d like to donate. These hand outs will be taken directly to Tacloban city.
12. Philippine Bayanihan Society of Singapore (43 Pasir Panjang Road, Tel: +65 64743700) are collecting clothes and food supplies to be passed directly to the victims of affected areas.
13. Pilates Inc. (46 East Coast Road Eastgate #06-05, Tel: +65 6345 7166) has organised a donation drive (click here for more info on Pilates Inc. Donation Drive).
14. Saatchi & Saatchi (3D River Valley Road Clarke Quay #03-01, Tel: +65 6339 4733) will start collecting hand-outs at their Clarke Quay office from Thursday 14th November onwards. For a guide of items to send, go to Brits Abroad Singapore link.
What items to donate..
So some of us have opted to donate a box of dry goods or staples. What items should we pack? While de-cluttering our pantry, we have to keep in mind there could possibly, and most probably, be no water or electricity. Here are some tips on what to and not to give:
1. Send bottles and bottles of water.
2. Do not pack food products that require water in the preparing or cooking process.
3. Send First Aid box and medicine.
4. Though you are concern about the children, it’s not practical to give powdered milk, or formula as they’ll need water to mix milk powder and formula.
5. Canned food and long-life beverages are the safest bet.
These are only a few suggestions and tips, and if you know of other channels through which we can extend a helping hand, we’d love to hear from you– just leave us a comment here or on our Facebook page!