Help Relief Efforts in the Philippines
The typhoon that struck the Philippines this weekend, devastating dozens of communities, destroying thousands of homes and leaving a death toll as high as 10,000 is overwhelming in its magnitude.The typhoon that struck the Philippines this weekend, devastating dozens of communities, destroying thousands of homes and leaving a death toll as high as 10,000 is overwhelming in its magnitude. With each news segment we see and article we read, our grave concern for those affected is amplified. Our hearts go out to the 9.8 million Philippine people whose lives will be forever changed. As we grieve with those who lost their children and parents, their friends and family members, we also honor and pray for the first responders who are rushing to provide aid. And as we do, here at Every Mother counts, we’re focusing most intently on the pregnant women who will now deliver their babies without the shelter of a home or hospital and most without the help of trained medical assistance. They’ll give birth in shelters, tents and as you can see in this video clip, in a public, crowded airport with the help of a military medic. This young mother was almost swept away in Typhoon Haiyan, the worst recorded storm in history, but by luck or miracle, she held on and delivered a daughter, Bea Joy, whose birth raised the hopes and spirits of all who surrounded her mother. It’s our hope that during this emergency and the long recovery that we know from disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the earthquake in Haiti, will take years, that you’ll join us in supporting all the families who are suffering in the Philippines. Donations are desperately needed and can be made to these charities providing on-the-ground emergency and relief efforts:
CARE is delivering food, water, shelter and other essentials to the survivors of typhoon Haiyan. CARE is among the oldest humanitarian organizations to focus on the needs of girls and women. Donate here.
The Red Cross volunteer rescue and relief teams are providing assistance in the hardest hit communities, including assisting in search and rescue efforts and distributing food and relief supplies to survivors. Donate here.
Mercy Corps is deploying seasoned emergency responders to the Philippines and will be working with partners on the ground to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of survivors. Donate here.
UNICEF is taking donations to help provide children with shelter, clean water, nutrition and vaccines. Donate here.
