How You Can Help Typhoon Victims
Below is an update from the State Department:
The State Department is cooperating with the Philippines Typhoon Disaster Relief Fund established by The mGive Foundation, a U.S. nonprofit organization, to coordinate donations via mobile phones to benefit victims of the typhoon.
A U.S. disaster assistance response team was among the first international groups to reach Leyte province, one of the hardest-hit regions. Experts from the U.S. Agency for International Development are working closely with Philippine agencies to evaluate the damage and identify the best ways to help those who have suffered losses from the storm. Within hours, the U.S. embassy in Manila provided substantial financial assistance for health, water and sanitation.
The U.S. government is organizing emergency shipments of critically needed material to provide shelter to the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos driven from their homes by this unprecedented typhoon. We are also organizing emergency shipments of food and hygiene supplies to thousands of families. Pentagon personnel are also deeply involved, providing logistical support to make sure relief gets to the right locations as quickly as possible. Non-governmental organizations, charities and private relief organizations are also on the scene.
How You Can Help
U.S. wireless subscribers can text AID to 80108 to give a $10 donation to the mGive Philippines Typhoon Disaster Relief Fund.
Donations will be collected from the U.S. wireless carriers by the mGive Foundation, a 501c3 public charity that empowers text donation campaigns across 60 U.S. wireless carriers -- providing access to 99 percent of all mobile phone users. Donations made to mGive will be distributed to relief organizations supporting Philippine Typhoon response and recovery. For more information visit, www.mgive.org
Other Non-Government Organizations Providing Assistance:
The American Red Cross: has created a family tracing service in addition to other aid operations
Catholic Relief Services: is accepting donations on its website and is moving supplies and staff to respond.
Habitat for Humanity: plans to offer shelter repair kits for families who need to re-build damaged homes. They're accepting donations.
Mercy Corps: is accepting donations on its website as responders move food, water, shelter and other supplies to the region.
Americares: is planning on deploying an emergency response team and is accepting donations.
US Philippines Society: The US-Philippines Society is working with its Philippine partners to deliver disaster relief kits to victims who are most vulnerable to the health-related effects of typhoon damage.