November 11, 2013
The typhoon that hit the Philippines this weekend has impacted more than 2 million people, with up to 10,000 feared dead. Donors from throughout New Jersey have asked us how they can help the people of the Philippines at this critical time of need, so we’ve pulled together the below list of relief organizations doing important work on the ground.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Unit has dispatched an initial six-person team to the Philippines. Senior Environmental Health Coordinator Melody Munz has already arrived in Manila, and the rest of the team will begin joining her tomorrow and organizing deployments to the hard-hit cities of Tacloban and Cebu. They will work with government and local organizations to begin needs assessments with a view to launching immediate interventions to support and ensure clean water and safe sanitation. A second wave of staff will likely comprise livelihoods specialists to oversee Cash for Work efforts and women’s protection and empowerment planning.
UNICEF will conduct a rapid assessment within the next days and is also prepared with pre-identified partners and NGOs to spearhead the response. Staff are being redeployed for emergency response with additional emergency support forthcoming from other UNICEF offices.
Super Typhoon Haiyan, most likely the largest storm to ever hit land, has battered the Philippines, and communities across the country are counting on your help. WFP is mobilising quickly to reach those in need.
Super Typhoon Haiyan is affecting children and families in the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam. In response, Save the Children is mounting disaster relief efforts to help children and families with emergency assistance during this difficult time.
CRS will prioritize emergency shelter, water and sanitation, household relief items (blankets, kitchen items, cookware), potable water, and toilets.
World Vision is launching an emergency response to help affected vulnerable children and families. Our first relief flight loaded with critical emergency supplies will arrive in Manila Monday, including 5,000 blankets and 3,000 tarpaulins (plastic sheets) that will be used to help survivors build temporary shelters.
Based on Habitat for Humanity’s assessment findings across the impacted areas, thousands of families are without shelter. Habitat staff on the ground are mounting an aggressive response – but we need your help. Your contribution to the Disaster Response Fund will help our efforts in assisting people affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan and disasters like it.
Operation USA is calling for donations to aid in recovery efforts and funding for grant distribution to local agencies. The NGO is also seeking corporate partners across the healthcare, transportation, water purification, shelter construction and power generation categories to provide in-kind supplies of which there will be high need in areas affected by the typhoon, which many are calling the largest storm in history as winds approach 200 mph.
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)
At this time, NAFCON will assist in the direct transfer of MONETARY donations. Your donation will be sent directly to Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan or BALSA (People’s Cooperation for the People), a national grassroots relief and rehabilitation organization composed of broad church-based organizations, schools, disaster response NGOs, and individuals, working with victims of disasters in the Philippines.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
JDC staff experts are consulting with local authorities, the Filipino Jewish community, and global partners to assess the unfolding situation on the ground.
Mercy Corps is deploying our seasoned emergency responders and will be working with partners on the ground to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of survivors.