How to help typhoon victims in the Philippines

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On 9 November, residents walk past downed trees and destroyed homes and cars, on a road in Tacloban City – one of the areas worst affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan – on the central island of Leyte.
(Photo by Jeoffrey Maitem/ UNICEF)

Typhoon Haiyan ripped across the Philippines, devastating towns, and displacing more than 600,000 people. The death toll is currently believed to be around 2,000-2,500. However, more than 2 million people need aid and there’s a severe  shortage of food, shelter and clean water.  (CNN has a good piece on the challenges of the relief effort).

Here in Los Angeles, The L.A. Region of the Red Cross is planning two events tomorrow to raise funds for victims. The Red Cross will be collecting cash, checks, and credit card donations at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and at the Honda Center in Anaheim from 4:30 am until 6:30 tomorrow night. Only money will be accepted.

Typhoon relief pledges at at Eagle Rock Plaza Mall outside of Filipino supermarket. (Photo: Saul Gonzalez)
Typhoon relief pledges at at Eagle Rock Plaza Mall outside of Filipino supermarket. (Photo: Saul Gonzalez) (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

If you want to donate online, here are several of the organizations working to help victims. (New York Times has a longer list, here)

The American Red Cross is accepting donations. 

The Philippine Red Cross has deployed assessment, rescue and relief teams to evaluate the damage and to support rescue efforts. Donate here. 

UNICEF says up to 4 million children might be affected by the Typhoon and reports that “therapeutic food for children, health kits, water and hygiene kits to support up to 3,000 families in the affected areas have already been mobilized from supplies available in the country, with distribution prioritized for the Tacloban area as soon as access is possible.” Donate here. 

CARE is working to provide shelter, food and water to those in need. Donate here.

Oxfam is providing water and sanitation materials on the ground to those affected by the Typhoon. Donate here.

The United Nations World Food Programme is also working to provide food and water to those in need. Donate here. Donate here.

Finding a Loved One

Google has set up a person finder page to help you find people in the Philippines.  You can also share information about a specific person affected by the typhoon at the website, or on your mobile device.