SouthingtonSOS Alert - How Can We Help Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in The Philippines

Some 9.5 million Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan - 600,000 displaced.  The Nov. 8th typhoon is one of the most powerful storms on record;  it killed 10,000 in the central Philippines in the first few days as huge waves wreaked havoc on entire coastal villages. Survivors are desperate for clean drinking water and food, medicine, shelter, clothing and the most basic vital needs for survival.  Haiyan has wiped out 70 to 80 % of structures in the provinces of Leyte and Samar.

The U.S. has provided $20 million in immediate aid. But the need is massive.  SouthingtonSOS  has gathered a list of organizations deploying urgent relief efforts where needed to open the doors to Americans who are ready to help the Filipino people in their great hour of need and the battle of their lives with a gift to one of the below humanitarian organizations to help restore homes, infrastructure  and a nation.     

· United Way USA and all its local partners suggest www.unitedway.org/philippines . The fund will be allocated to our partners in the Philippines, and contributions are  tax deductible for U.S. donors.

· The American Red Cross  Info:  http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Sends-Support-to-Philippines-for-Typhoon-Response

· The Philippine Red Cross has mobilized teams on the ground to help with rescue and relief operations. Learn more:  http://www.redcross.org.ph/

· UNICEF is taking donations to help provide children with shelter, clean water, nutrition and vaccines. Its staff in the Philippines is being repositioned to help in relief efforts and 66 tons of emergency supplies have been airlifted from Copenhagen including water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies. Donations at www.unicef.org/support.

· Catholic Relief Services is accepting donations on its website as it begins moving supplies and staff to respond to the typhoon.

· The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched a $10 million appeal and sent an emergency team to Manila who have already started to work on the ground. More info at www.rescue.org.

· Salvation Army  Gifts to the national Typhoon Relief Effort may be made by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY or at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org  www.SalvationArmyUSA.orgor call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Donations of $10 can be made via cell phone by texting “TYPHOON” to 80888 and replying “YES.”* 

· Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  https://community.elca.org/page.aspx?pid=954&srctid=1&erid=6474800&trid=f4cb9488-1507-4de8-85cf-86d1ef2d5d15

· World Food Programme (WFP), a UN organization,  will send more than 40 tons of high energy biscuits and work with the Filipino government to help with logistics and emergency communications systems. They have allocated $2 million for the disaster response and officials joined an assessment mission to survey damage in Leyte and Samar provinces. Donations at www.wfpusa.org or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.

· World Vision is launching a response for survivors of the catastrophic storm. 
Donate at this link: http://www.worldvision.org/?et_cid=43452827&et_rid=1643446657&campaign=105418318&evar50=23033050&ppi=23033050&lpos=bot_txt_fNav0

· Save the Children is also mounting disaster relief efforts to help children and families in the region with emergency assistance.

· Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) has organized teams of doctors, nurses, surgeons, psychologists, water and sanitation experts and other specialists to respond to the typhoon’s aftermath. 

·  Habitat for Humanity plans to offer shelter repair kits for families who need to re-build their damaged houses.

· The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has begun collecting donations for relief efforts. To contribute, go to www.jdc.org or call 212-687-6200.

· The Salvation Army is asking for $10 donations by text. One hundred percent of money donated by sending TYPHOON to 80888 or through their website will be used to sort, ship and distribute donated goods.

· AT&T and Verizon are offering free calls and texts to the Philippines for customers trying to contact friends and family there in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

For more information on ways to help in the disaster relief of the Philippines  visit  http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/11/21386694-how-to-help-organizations-offering-relief-to-typhoon-haiyan-survivors.  

SouthingtonSOS  is an ad hoc humanitarian service committee of leaders of community service and charity organizations, churches,  temples, and community-minded volunteers representing all sectors of Southington including town, school, professional, business and commerce who come together in times of local, national and global disaster to see how we can help.  With heavy hearts  for the people of the Philippines so tragically afflicted by Typhoon Haiyan, we encourage everyone to pray as well as consider supporting relief efforts.    

 SouthingtonSOS Contacts:
 John Myers, Executive Director, YMCA, 860-621-8737 or jmyers@sccymca.org
Rev. Victoria Triano, Pastoral Care Director, Southington Care Center
Kaye Davis, Executive Director, United Way of Southington
E. Richard Fortunato, Communications and Media