Major Typhoon Strikes WER Projects
Wendy Avan
Website: http://www.worldemergencyrelief.org
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CARLSBAD, CA - Recent typhoons in the Philippines have left over 1,000 dead, thousands more missing and even more homeless, hungry and at extreme risk of typhoid and other disaster diseases near World Emergency Relief projects in the region.
The Bicol area, already battered by a recent typhoon, suffered its second indignant typhoon blow last week, making desperate conditions even more life-threatening.
WER quickly responded by sending rice and medicine for victims in the battered cities of Naga and Legaspi. WER's workers are in both areas, including the "Heart for Bicol" team from Manila that will run an emergency shelter and provide counseling to victims and emergency workers for at least three months.
WER has already committed $22,000 for immediate help and plan on that much for six containers of long-range emergency supplies, including over 760,000 meals.
All this comes on top of plans already announced to rebuild 340 homes in the notorious Baseco slum along Manila's waterfront, where the worst typhoon in 20 years struck in late October. Visiting victims two weeks later, WER's president, Joel MacCollam, pledged the agency's aid. "Homes built without adequate foundations or well-attached roofs will be rebuilt to withstand almost any future storm. We'd like to help move the people to safer ground, but Manila has precious little land available for relocation."
World Emergency Relief is a global family of six charities sharing a common vision and core values, working together with indigenous nonprofit organizations to fight poverty and hunger, and provide relief for victims of disaster, conflict and despair. Our vision is "giving children a living chance", by addressing the practical, emotional, spiritual and economic needs of children, their families and communities.
For more information on World Emergency Relief (WER-US) or to make a donation please visit www.worldemergencyrelief.org or call Wendy Avan at (760) 448-3519 (direct line) or (888) HUG-4-KID (toll free). Donations can be sent to World Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 131570, Carlsbad, CA 92013.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
