Philippine Flood Relief Fund

Thank you again for your generous donation to GlobalGiving's Philippine Flood Relief Fund, which supported the disaster relief efforts of three organizations based in the Philippines after Tropical Storm Washi swept through in December 2011: De La Salle University in Manila, Merlin, and SIBAT (Sibol Ng Agham At Teknolohiya Inc). 

Each organization assisted storm survivors by helping them meet basic needs. The community of De La Salle University came together to direct relief services and supplies such as food and blankets to families in areas that were badly affected. Merlin provided hygiene kits to families in these areas to prevent the spread of disease that can often occur after storms have wiped out medical centers. SIBAT was rehabilitating a storm-damaged hydro power plant in Rapu-Rapu, Albay Province so that members of a small coastal community could move towards a stronger sustainable economy.

Now, the social development unit of De La Salle University in Manila, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), is partnering with local government to build the skills of local officials in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. COSCA hosted a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management workshop for 42 government officials from March 20-22, 2012. The 42 participants practiced utilizing social networking platforms, early warning systems, and alarms to respond to future disasters quickly and efficiently. They also participated in field visits to local hazard prone areas. Afterwards, participants expressed strong interest in taking what they'd learned at the workshop to put into organized practice in their municipalities. 

Thank you again for your generous donation to the Philippine Flood Relief Fund. Your donation has meant so much. You've assisted locally operated organizations in saving lives during a natural disaster. Now, your donation is supporting the training of local government officials so that they can continue to respond to natural disasters in the fastest and most coordinated way possible. Would you like to donate again to support local organizations as they prepare for future disasters?

Thank you for all that you do.

Cheers,

Mattie

In December 2011, Tropical Storm Washi swept through the Philippines, killing over 1,000 people and displacing thousands more.  Especially hard hit were the areas of Cagayan de Oro and Illigan; and President Banigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity. This month, GlobalGiving disbursed $2,611.50 each to three organizations responding to Tropical Storm Washi and other natural disasters in the Philippines.

The Disaster Management Response Program of De La Salle University collected and distributed relief supplies immediately after Hurricane Washi in December 2011. Relief supplies included clothes, blankets, water, noodles, biscuits, and toiletries, and were delivered through partnerships with organizations such as the Philippine Army and Navy.  These supplies are estimated to have reached 11,266 families in thirty communities. With alumni support, the school was also able to provide medical and dental services to evacuees. As time went on, the need for a psychosocial response to the floods became evident. During the month of January, members of De La Salle University’s disaster response team began undertaking needs assessments and will be implementing targeted psychosocial relief for survivors of Hurricane Washi.

Merlin, a medical relief organization, partnered with the Philippine organization Community and Family Services International (CFSI) to deliver hygiene kits and offer basic medical assistance in order to prevent the spread of disease after the storm. Items were purchased locally and relief kits were assembled in the Philippines before being delivered by local staff. These kits were distributed to about 2,000 families or 10,000 people. Merlin will continue to provide these kits for an additional month before winding down its storm relief activities.

Sibol Ng Agham At Teknolohiya Inc (SIBAT) is raising funds to rebuild a microhydro power plant on Rapu-Rapu Island that was damaged by two tropical storms in 2006. This plant will assist the numerous fishing communities living on the island by providing them with sustainable energy access. Upon further communication with the fishing communities, SIBAT found that fishermen currently travel long distances for ice blocks in order to keep their produce fresh. An ice-making facility is being incorporated into construction plans in order to provide a local source for ice: keeping fish fresher, longer, and increasing capacity for the island communities along the way.

Thank you for your support! Your donations through GlobalGiving’s Philippine Flood Relief Fund have assisted these organizations in providing medical assistance, emergency relief supplies, and long-term disaster relief and reconstruction services to families and communities in the Philippines affected by natural disasters.