No exact figures yet, not even words or phrase comprehensive enough to describe the devastation brought about by typhoon Yolanda. What’s clear to me is this; the devastation is more than enough for me to donate and mobilize for the victims of this typhoon.
Donate
It doesn’t matter how much or how many. Donate any amount, to any of the credible donation institution or agencies helping the victims of Yolanda. For the relief goods, you can prioritize giving water and ready to eat food , as in this photo by Rappler.com. They badly need it, now.
Be responsible enough to make sure your donations go directly to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Here ‘s a picture list of charitable entities doing relief operations for victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.
Rappler has a more extensive list of whom and where can you donate. So is Huffington Post‘s “Following Philippines Typhoon Haiyan, Here’s How You Can Help” and CNN‘s “How to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors“. I cannot vouch for everyone of them. Also please take note I’M NOT SOLICITING ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY OR GOODS for victims of typhoon Yolanda. The institutions I’ve listed above can very well handle your donations, not me:
Mobilize
It’s not clear yet as to where and when my help will be most needed. What is clear though, is that donations will not be enough. Looking at the extent and estimates of devastation, they need every worker (skilled or not), to rebuild.
As I write this, medical-surgical missions are being prepped up by DOH and various NGO’s in addition to the previously assembled team prior to Yolanda’s wrath. I myself is waiting for advice too. I’m sure they will need engineers, architects, builders, and construction workers to help build homes. if you are a member of any of these workers organizations, ask your officials for details regarding any volunteer mission.
Internet and Social Media
If you’re just at home and for some reasons couldn’t be mobilize, you can harness the power of the internet to
- Share the donation portals so your friends will be aware too and donate. Or share this post if you like 🙂
- Share the Google Crisis Map– Evacuation areas, shelters, health care facilities etc.
- Update and share the Google Person Finder for Yolanda .
- If you are a Google mapper and is familiar with the places in the areas hit by typhoon Yolanda, send me an email I’ll request you be added up to a group of mappers doing the crisis/relief map for Yolanda.
That’s all for the moment. I hope you all now know, what is clear and what is not, as of yet. Let’s Donate and Mobilize.
