There will be very strong rains, very strong winds and very strong and high storm surge according to the weather bureau.
Evacuate.
Go to safe places.
Prepare typhoon kits.
Go to evacuation centers if homes look like these could not stand 295kph of wind and torrential rains to be poured by the buckets.
This is a supertyphoon. This is Haiyan.
The tropical cyclone (the blanket term for hurricanes and typhoons) packs winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), according to estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with gusts up to 225 mph (360 km/h), said Brian McNoldy, a tropical weather expert at the University of Miami. This is the equivalent of a very strong Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, used to rank cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean. ~Source
Indeed it was the strongest typhoon for the year 2013, the supertyphoon called Haiyan, Yolanda as the locals refer to it.
When electricity was still on, videos and photos started streaming in social media sites to be shared over and over again, viewed by people who are either not directly hit by the super tyhoon or those who are in the path but awaits its arrival.
Viewers gushed at how strong the winds are blowing and how it seemed that the nightmare of being in this super typhoon’s path feel like hours instead of minutes.
Could they ride it out? Would they be safe throughout the ordeal? How much more could they stand being in the midst of winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), gusts up to 225 mph (360 km/h) and storm surge possibly reaching 10 feet and more? The wind speed is unprecedented and is off the charts, Haiyan’s winds go beyond any recorded wind speed in a super typhoon.
“Haiyan has achieved tropical cyclone perfection,” Florida meteorologist Brian McNoldy tweeted earlier today. “It is now estimated at 165kts (190mph), with an 8.0 on the Dvorak scale… the highest possible value.” ~Source
Haiyan or Yolanda was thrashing different places like a woman scorned gone stark mad: destroying everything in its path, uprooting trees, ripping roofs, smashing glasses, pulling doors and windows off its hinges, blowing homes and buildings away and bringing with her storm surge, water from the seas surrounding these places.
The sea was at Yolanda’s mercy, moving with her, slamming on homes, bringing with it precious belongings, parts and parcels of houses made homes, claiming everything in its path, bringing with it anything that is in its way.
These waters have been the source of income to most of the residents, helping them make a living to sustain the family’s needs. These waters that brought joy and peace to some who enjoyed the relative calmness and tranquility churned like water in a pendulum, bringing water here and there.
The sea waters that gave these people a living blindly lashed out and in its path, claimed the lives of those who depended on it.
“Mom, let go and save yourself,” said a little girl to her mom who was holding on to her because she was trapped under something that came down on their home when the waters started rising.
This village captain brought his neighbors to places to think were good to go, leaving behind his family because their home is made of concrete and is probably strong enough to withstand the wrath of Yolanda only to find out that his family didn’t make it.
This family stayed at the second flood of their homes thinking the storm surge will not get to them but it did, with them holding on to the home’s beams so that the fast rising water won’t sweep them back to see. They found a way to crawl through the ceiling and stay on the house’s roof without any protection above their heads.
A man held on to his father as they both hugged a coconut tree as storm surge and turbulent angry waters swirled around them. The older man was not able to hold on anymore and had to let go.
Tales of harrowing survival and near death experiences, of seeing loved ones swept to sea, pinned under fallen debris hurting and pained but they could not do a thing, much less lift a finger even if they want to so much so it rips the heart apart. Seeing properties destroyed and swept away is like having salt added to the wound they are left open to the elements.
People walking here and there with blank eyes, with dazed expressions, some were carrying their dead loved ones, some were crying tears unabashly, saying incoherent words because of grief, grief beyond anyone has ever experienced.
People are numb with fearand with guilt for having survived, for being there at all, for having experienced something unprecented and survived where their loved ones didn’t.
Where do they start cleaning up? How do they start anything to rebuild their homes, their lives, the meager things that withstood Yolanda’s wrath? No one can answer that at first because there is just no way everything that just happened is real. No. Everything will be back to normal once this harrowing nightmare is over.
They think it is.
Only the nightmare is just beginning after Yolanda has passed like nothing happened, leaving behind a wake of destruction that also became a nightmare to people around the world.
The number of people who did not survive is fast rising and the reason might not be because they did not survive Yolanda’s destruction but because help and aid was too long in coming.
Heartbreaking.
Billions worth of cash and aid started pouring in with more to come. Families and organizations have started to pull in resources to be sent to the Philippines, a calamity-fatigued country.
Those who are in the know on how things work in underhand ways are wary and that includes me. Would these all go to where they are supposed to go to or would a few have fat pockets after a few weeks? People can’t help but think about this especially after the country’s coffers are being plundered and bled dry.
Now is the time to do something, in little or big ways, through reputable organizations and charity groups who will deliver the goods needed.
Here are just a few ways on how you can help:
#MovePh Relief Operations List
Google’s Person Finder
Some more of the numerous lists of organizations that are helping out in the #ReliefPH ~Source more complete list I have without shame copied some of the contents.
Click this LINK, #MOVEPH for easier scrolling if below proves a bit too much.
NATIONAL
DSWD is accepting donations: NAIA Chapel Road, Pasay City (at the back of CAAP)
Roel Montesa – 09263469927, roelmontesa@gmail.com
Elma Pille – ecpille@dswd.gov.ph
Cash deposits accepted – DSWD Bank Acct. at Landbank of the Philippines Nos. 3122-1011-84 (current) and 3124-0055-81 (savings) Fe Catalina Ea – 09186281897
Repacking of relief goods ongoing at DSWD-NROC, Pasay City. Interested volunteers can call 9318101 to schedule.
DSWD Region 7 Field Office, MJ Cuenco Avenue Cor Gen Maxillom Ave, Brgy. Carreta, Cebu City is conducting ongoing relief operations. Contact Rico Algarme at (32) 232 9509 for inquiries.
The Department of Health has actvated its hotline 24/7. For inquiries on how to donate, volunteer or extend any form of assistance, contact the DOH Health Emergency Management Staff in the Central Office through the following numbers:
Hotline: 711-1001, 711-1002
Trunkline: 743-83-01 local 2206, 101
MobileHotline: (0920) 949- 8419
World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian, development and relief organization is accepting donations for Typhoon Yolanda survivors. Donor hotline 372-7777 or visit their website
Operation Walang Iwanan – Gawad Kalinga
World Food Programme Philippines is accepting donations through their website
ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya pledge lines (02) 411-0183, 411-0182, 411-0115
Accepting relief goods and cash donations, with other drop-off points nationwide: Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao
The Philippine Red Cross provides many ways to donate. Hotline: 143 Trunkline: 5270000
You may also SMS donations by texting REDAMOUNT to 2899(Globe) or 4143(Smart)
Cebu Provincial Government, is in need of volunteers to repack relief goods for Northern Cebu, Leyte, and Bohol. Contact Ms. Evelyn Senajon at 254-7198 and 254-8397, PSWDO, Ground Floor Executive Bldg., Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Extension Room 23, 5/F Senate of the Philippines, GSIS Financial Complex, Pasay City, is accepting donations Monday to Thursday from 9am – 6pm. Contact Mr. Ares Goyena at (0917)621-6311.
The Office of Senator Koko Pimentel is accepting donations at Office of Senator Koko Pimentel at Room 512, Senate of the Philippines, GSIS complex, Pasay City. For inquiries, contact (632) 552-6601 loc 5548 – 50 or e-mail senatorkoko@kokopimentel.org or ronmunsayac.ph@gmail.com
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is accepting cash donations through the following accounts:
BPI – C/A 4951-0067-56
Account name – Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.
Metrobank – C/A 7286-8109-30
Account name – Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.
Contact Bianca Casilag or Connie Kalagayan at 897-8808 or 899-4426.
All LBC branches are accepting donations for typhoon Yolanda victims until November 30.
All Pizza Hut and Taco Bell stoes (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen) are accepting cash donations or through the purchase of eco bags worth P50 each.
The Archdiocese of Manila is accepting cash donations for Yolanda Relief Fund. You may deposit in any of the following bank accounts:
For Peso donations: BPI S/A #0053-2762-53.
For USD donations: BPI S/A #0054-0089-53
For Euro donations: BPI S/A #00545-0139-49
Account name:ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA, BPI Plaza Cervantes Branch, Binondo, Manila
For acknowledgement of donation, please contact or send deposit slip to: TREASURY AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, Arzobispado de Manila,121 Arzobispo St., Intramuros, Manila
TEL/FAX Nos. (632)5273852, 5273953
Email at: adrcam@yahool.com
Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), through Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), is now accepting donations for our kababayans affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Drop your donations in JGF coinbanks found in over 2,000 JFC stores (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal and Burger King) across the country. You may also opt to directly deposit your cash or check donations to these bank accounts:
PESO ACCOUNT: Metrobank – Cubao Araneta Branch (Account Name: Jollibee Group Foundation – 473-7-47301401-3)
DOLLAR ACCOUNT:BDO – Megamall BranchAccount Name: Jollibee Foundation, Inc.Account Number: 100661267008Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Ayala Malls/Ayala Land is accepting cash and check donations at “Alay sa Komunidad” BPI Account no. 0031-0684-95. Donations in kind (clothes, blankets, toiletries, medication, water, noodles, etc.) can be dropped off at the following Ayala Mall branches:
Glorietta – 752-7272
Greenbelt – 757-4853
Alabang Town Center – 842-2782
Ayala Center Cebu – (032)516-2035
Market! Market! – 8867519
Bonifacio High Street – 856-0523
Serendra
TriNoma 901-3000
MarQuee Mall -(045)304-0806
Abreeza Mall
Harbor Point
Centrio Mall
Magsaysay Lines, together with its corporate social responsibility arm, is accepting donations in cash and in kind.
In-kind donations are accepted in the ff. locations:ine: (0920) 949-
Magsaysay Crew and Family Relations Office, G/F Magsaysay Building, 520 TM Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Contact Mr. Jong Poblo or Mitch Buray at 09175709198, (02) 586-4361, or (02) 5268888 loc 9669 or 9624
NMC Container Lines Inc, Lot 5-A Zuelling Ave., New Reclamation Area, Subangdaku, Mandaue, Cebu City. Contact Ms Flor Palmares at 09178354743 or (032) 232-2953
Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, Iznart Street, Capitol Drive, Iloilo City. Contact (033) 335-8693 for inquiries
Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, DOLL Building, 6th Street, Bacolod City. Contact (034) 433-9732
Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, No. 49, Jose Gil Palma Street, Davao City. Contact (082) 227-7621
For cash donations, deposit directly to the either of the ff. accounts:
PESO ACCOUNT: Homer Foundation Inc, Account No. SA: 4510-027195, BDO Universal Bank, BDO Luneta Manila
DOLLAR ACCOUNT: Homer Foundation Inc, Swift Code: BNORPHMM, Account No. FCDU 4510-241057, BDO Universal Bank, BDO Luneta Manila
All McDonald’s stores in the National Capital Region are accepting donations in kind. Collected donations will be packed and distributed through the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Bigay Tulong Program and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya.
The Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines – Alumni Association is accepting cash donations for the victims of typhoon Yolanda. For inquiries, contact Prim Paypon at 09088100424. E-mail deposit slip to thedreamprojectph@gmail.com. Deposit to:
- Account Name: Nicole Villarojo
- Account Number: # BPI C/A 3200 0262 08
The Spark Project is accepting cash donations for the victims of typhoon Yolanda. For inquiries, contact Prim Paypon at 09088100424. E-mail deposit slip to thedreamprojectph@gmail.com. Deposit to:
- Account Name: Spark Machine Innovations Inc.
- Account Number: # BPI C/A 9600-0041-98
AirAsia Zest is accepting donations for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and is also offering free round-trip seats to all NGOs and agencies accredited by the National Disaster Council.
Donation Drive
Donations will be shipped for free from 11 – 17 November 2013. Interested individuals, charitable organizations, non-profit, socio-civic or religious groups may avail of this service by:
- Packing the relief goods in boxes
- Preparing a list of the items with its estimated value, size and weight in kilos
- Sending an e-mail to Ernest Bernal, head of AirAsia Zest Cargo Team at paa_cargo@airasia.com, including the complete contact details of the counterpart NGO or consignee
- For more information, please call +632-851-1801/632-851-1803 or proceed to AirAsia Zest Cargo in Domestic Road, Andrews Avenue, Pasay City.
FREE SEATS for Yolanda Volunteers
Volunteers will be flown to the affected areas for free from 11 – 24 November 2013. Interested parties may avail this offer by:
- Contacting Cecille Flores, HR Department of AirAsia Zest at cecilleflores@airasia.com
- Emailing the complete contact details of the counterpart NGO or agency
- For more information, please call +632-851-1801/632-851-1803 and look for Cecille Flores or proceed to AirAsia Zest Office in Domestic Road, Andrews Avenue, Pasay City.
Government agencies, private organizations and NGOs engaged in relief operations can avail of free shipment of relief goods on board SuperCat from the Port of Cebu to the Port of Ormoc three times daily and on board a bigger 2GO ship twice a week.
Cebu-Ormoc Daily Trips via SuperCat
5:30 AM
11 AM
4:30 PM
Cebu-Ormoc wice a week via St. Anthony de Padua
Monday 8:30AM
Friday 12:30 PM
The relief goods should be brought and registered at the 2GO Relief Drop Off Center at the Pier 4 passenger terminal. The officials of 2GO are however reminding donors to arrange first the presence of people who will receive the relief goods once these arrive in Ormoc.
For more information and inquiries, please call:
PRWORKS
+63 32 4167159
+63 32 4122422
+63 32 2541781
0917 791 9545 or 0917 791 9564
The Metrobank Group, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation and Toyota Financial Services Philippines through the Metrobank Foundation and GT Metro Foundation is accepting cash donations for the super typhoon victims. Donations may be deposited to any Metrobank branch through the MBFI Calamity Fund:
Account number: 066-3-72154086-4
Donors are encouraged to fax the deposit slips to Metrobank Foundation at 818-5656 or 750-0837 or email scanned copy to foundation@metrobank.com.ph. They are also waiving service fees for international donations.
For further inquiries, you may contact Ms. Marievic Mariano at mgmariano@metrobank.com.ph or at telephone number (02) 857-5525.
The 1000 Bear Hugs Project is accepting huggable-sized toys for Tacloban children from November 8 to December 9. Drop-off points for pre-loved toys will be announced on their Twitter profile shortly. Email 1000bearhugs@gmail.com or contact Mon Corpuz at (0917)796-1378
OVERSEAS/ONLINE
For relief operations overseas: #YolandaPH (Haiyan): Filipinos worldwide heed call to action
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 (international codename Haiyan) here.
A group of London-based Filipinos are accepting donations at 345 Croxted Road, London, SE24 9DB. You can also donate online thru: http://www.gofundme.com/movePH. For inquiries, e-mail Leng De Garcia at lengdegracia@me.com or call +447528573082
De La Salle University’s Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) is accepting web-based donations from overseas individuals via GlobalGiving.com. Credit and debit card donations accepted. Contact Joseph Rosal, Coordinator for Community Engagement, COSCA at 525-4267 or local 147 for more information.
The Catholic Relief Services is accepting donations through their website and through Caritas Filipinas Foundation.
Victory is accepting online donations for Yolanda relief efforts via BPI Express Online or credit card.
Save the Children Philippines 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. They are also accepting cash donations through the following bank accounts:
Standard Chartered Bank Philippines
Account Name: Save the Children International
Account Number: 01-4639 287 3483
Currency: PESO Account
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account Name: Save the Children International
Account Number: 0018310 11196
Currenty: PESO Account
Standard Chartered Bank Philippines
Account Name: Save the Children International
Account Number: 90-4639 455 7862
Currency: USD Account
UNICEF is accepting online cash donations thorugh its website.
ANCOP USA Foundation for international donations through this website.
Aboitiz Foundation Command Center is accpeting cash donations through the Aboitiz Foundation’s UShare portal. Contact Danny Cerence at (0917)630-8172 for inquiries.
You may also deposit to the following accounts:
Union Bank of the Philippines Account No. 10026-1070944
City Savings Bank Account No. 200-20031301
Contact Rowena Astillo at (0917)630-4484 for inquiries.
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 co-operatives across Canada for financial support to aid victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Donations can be made online or by mail to the Co-operative 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.
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.
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 typhoon Haiyan 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
Christ’s Commission Fellowship is accepting bank and online donations through the following portals:
Banco de Oro Ortigas Center Branch
G/F Mega Mall Building A
Julia Vargas Ave. corner Bank Dr., Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City, Philippines 1550
For Peso Donations: Account No. 000-660974118
For Dollar Donations: Account No. 100-660981416 (Swift Code: BNORPHMM)
For online donations:
Go to www.ccf.org.ph/give Select “Others” for Gift Recipient, and indicate “Yolanda Relief Funds” in the Comments. Forward the confirmation email to jemiareyes@gmail.com for tracking purposes.
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns is accepting cash donations from overseas through their paypal account. Checks can be made payable to “St. George Fontana,” and on the memo line, write: “NAFCON Bayanihan Relief” to clearly allocate it for this purpose. Contact the following for more details:
Terrence Valen, NAFCON President
415.333.6267, info@nafconusa.org
Northwest: Freedom Siyam; nw@nafconusa.org; (206) 659–1896
Northeast: Michelle Saulon ne@nafconusa.org (650) 808-5043
Midwest: Nerissa Allegretti mw@nafconusa.org (224) 381-6888
Norcal: Ryan Leano nc@nafconusa.org (626) 534-4971
Socal: Alex Montances sc@nafconusa.org (253) 381-7444