Why You Should Donate NOW to the disaster victims in the Philippines?

The Philippines has experienced multiple tragedies in the past few months:

·         Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in November

·         7.2 earthquake in October

·         21-day seige in Zamboanga in September.

 

Tens and thousands of people are homeless, injured, or dead.

 

You've seen the photographs and videos of the devastation, and you want to help, but you may be reluctant to donate your hard earned money out of concern that it will not get to those who are in need of help. 

 

You may have also heard that the US Assistance for International Development (USAID) has sent supplies, relief staff, and $100,000 in foreign aid to the Philippines. So you may feel that your donation make not actually make a difference.

 

In order to understand how much your donation can help, consider the following:

·         A can of sardine costs about $0.30 .

·         A kilo of rice cost approximate $1

·         A gallon of water is about $0.87

·         A brick to help rebuild a house/school/health center is $0.25

 

Donations of any size will make a very difference.  The question is where should you donate?  The information below is based on the research I have been doing.

 

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)

 

I asked my friend, DK, a doctor who recently moved to the Philippines so he can help the less fortunate.  He suggested that people donate to the Philippine Red Cross.

 

Me: "A lot of people are skeptical in donating money to organizations. Why did you chose Philippine Red Cross?"

 

DK: "Jen, I've worked with some of the Red Cross guys in Bohol (where the earthquake hit in October).  I've had no second thoughts donating to PRC.  It is by no means a perfect organization but I know the people there work very hard.  We can't be paralyzed by those rumors."

 

The Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation  

 

I asked one of the leaders in the Filipino community, Tito Joe.

 

Me: "People of ages are asking me where to send money. What's the most effective way of helping the victims in the Philippines?"

Tito Joe: "Jen, a colleague who used to live in Connecticut and have relocated to the Philippines is leading the fund-raising campaign to help rebuild the Philippines."

 

"In the wake of the recent disasters that happened in different areas in the Philippines - earthquake in Bohol and Cebu,  and the 21-day siege in my hometown, Zamboanga, PDRF (Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation),  launched a crowd funding campaign to help rebuild the 3 communities devastated that were devastated.  For as little as $0.25 (PhP10.00) you get a brick that will help rebuild these communities. Every cent will make a big difference!"

 

So here are our suggestions:

Philippine Red Cross

PDRF: Brick-by-Brick to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda: 

PDRF: Crowd Funding Brick-by-Brick to help rebuild the Earthquake/Seige Communities ( Crowd Funding ends on Dec. 5, 2013)

 

 

My 12 year-old son and his friends are organizing various fund-raising events:

• Used Clothing Drive. We are working with clothingdrivefundraiser.com, and we'll receive a monetary donation based on the total weight of the items collected which will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.
• Quarters for Brick-by-Brick Project. Will collect quarters or any other monetary donations to help rebuild the communities in the Philippines.
• Dry Goods Collection. Donations will be picked up in NJ by RDR Cargo Express and will be shipped directly to the victims of the typhoon Yolanda in Leyte.

 
Help is needed NOW, so please donate whatever you feel comfortable with and spread the word.  Your help will make an enormous difference in the lives of many people.

 

If you're interested in helping in any of the above fund-raising efforts, please email us at info@gottasendhelp.org .