As of this posting, over 140 have died as a result of the the torrential downpour that Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana) has caused on the island of Luzon (Northern Philippines). Many others have been displaced and it has certainly hit home – there are Filipino Freethinkers who have lost a significant sum of what they’ve worked for over the years.
We all feel deeply sorry and helpless for the loss of life and the prospects of even worse weather to come. But we can all make a difference if we choose to. There are plenty of avenues to give our extra resources, time and talents to help those in need.
Philippine Aid is accepting donations via Paypal. This is an effort initiated by a Filipino blogger – Mikey Villar. The operations are largely secular and not tinged with the slightest hint of sectarian ulterior motives. All donations will be forwarded to the Philippine National Red Cross. The PNRC currently can’t accommodate Paypal contributions so this is the next best thing.
You may also volunteer at the Philippine Red Cross, ABS-CBN, GMA or any school that is nearest your area that are setting up their own relief missions. Starbucks, Fitness First and McDonald’s branches have also agreed to be designated drop-off spots for relief goods (canned goods, drinking water, bread and toiletries).
You may also use your cellular phone to donate. Just text RED <amount> to 2899 for Globe. You donate 10,20, 50, 100 or 300 pesos at a time. The transaction fee of 1.00 has already been waived for this service.
We may have different beliefs, but we are one with the rest of the Philippines in light of this tragedy. Two hands helping trumps a thousand clasped in prayer
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People should be reminded also that typhoons are natural but floods are not. To say that the death-causing typhoon Ondoy was part of God’s plan will just add insult to the hundreds of lives spared and wrecked. It’s plain unfair.
I agree especially on the last part. Nice one Benj.
just saying hello. congrats for this site!
The nearest drop-off point here for relief good’s run by a christian group, but times like these, I’m willing to forgo my hesitation and not worry about who gets the credit just as long as the goods get to the people who need it the most. In the end, its about people helping people, regardless of affiliation.
I saw the news a couple of days ago here in Sydney. It made me shudder. Particularly the image of a bunch of children standing on a pile of debris being swept away by a strong current. I wonder what ever happened to them? This was one really bad typhoon. Even everyone I knew back there was affected.
No Gods can ever help them. I guess it falls on to us to help each other.
Does anyone have a list of the “fake” donation accounts. There is also a mess of dangerously opportunistic people out there taking advantage of the situation. How confirmed are these avenues of donations?
My presence is needed in the field, not in the church. My time is needed by the disaster victims, not by the church.
just want to ask for the list of name of dead victims in Metro Manila of typhoon ondoy.