Typhoon wrecks Philippines

By Karis Rogerson and Meredith Schellin
News Editors

On Nov. 8, a Typhoon Hiayan (or Yolanda) hit Leyte and Samar, coastal provinces of the Philippines. According to the BBC, at least 2,500 have been reported killed, and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced. President Benigno Aquino declared state of national calamity in an attempt to speed relief efforts for victims. One of the cities affected the most was Tacloban, where there does not seem to be an effective relief organization in place. 

The New York times website has provided a list of way to proactively help the victims affected by the storm. The top reported association is the Philippine Red Cross; they are accepting donations and coordination disaster relief. Additionally, the World Food Program, an organization devoted to providing emergency food aid to families and children, is accepting donations online. The Philippine branch of UNICEF is also accepting donations.

A complete list of organizations committed to giving relief is listed on the New York Times website in an article titled “How to help Philippines typhoon victims.”

In addition, social media users will find that most sites have set up easy-access pages dedicated to facilitating donations to help victims in the Philippines.