Categorized | Volunteering

Schatz creates resource center for typhoon survivors

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has created a comprehensive resource center for the people of Hawaii looking for information about Typhoon Yolanda and how to help the survivors.

The website will be continually updated with the U.S. federal government’s response efforts and includes information about how people can find loved ones in the Philippines.

“The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and the full extent of the ravage is not yet even known,” Schatz said. “Millions of people were hit by Typhoon Yolanda, or Typhoon Haiyan, and while there is no official death toll, estimates are upwards of 10,000. My prayers and I know the prayers of all of us in Hawaii are with the people of the Philippines. They are a strong people and I know they will come back from this epic tragedy, but they need our help. I’m working to make sure the United States keeps supporting the Philippines now in this emergency and in their recovery efforts in the time to come. I am working to help ensure all U.S. Federal agencies are mobilized to support the Philippines in this time of need. I want the people of Hawaii to have all the information possible about what’s going on in the Philippines as it becomes available.”

The continually updated Resource Center can be found at: www.schatz.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=348037

For Help Finding a Loved One

In Hawaii, we understand that family comes first and we know the safety and location of family and loved ones in the Philippines is first on our minds.

To seek out help in finding family and loved ones, please call the Philippine National Red Cross Social Services Restoring Family Links and Tracing Services Center at (+63) 917-5328500.

The American Red Cross has also activated family tracing services and the Honolulu Chapter of the American Red Cross can be reached at (808) 734-2101.

The website also provides links to:

* Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu — (808) 595-6316 ext. 104/105

* Hawaiian Telecom — Providing free calls to the Philippines

* Typhon Yolanda Google Person Finder

* CNN’s iReport Locator

* Approximately 3,000 Americans were in the areas of the Philippines most impacted when the Typhoon hit. For help locating Americans, call (888) 407-4747.

Local Hawaii Organizations:

The Philippine Consulate, Honolulu at (808) 595-6316×104/105. http://www.philippineshonolulu.org

The Filipino Chamber of Commerce at (808) 843-8838. https://www.facebook.com/filipinochamber

The Filipino Community Center at (808) 680-0451.

Congress of Visayan Organizations. https://www.facebook.com/COVOHAWAII

Kokua Philippines. https://www.facebook.com/kokuaforphilippines

National Organizations:

UN World Food Program — https://www.wfp.org/donate/typhoon-philippines-b

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. This organization is sending emergency food provisions in the aftermath of the Typhoon. Americans can text the word AID to 27722 to donate $10, or visit the website to make an online donation.

American Red Cross — http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Sends-Support-to-Philippines-for-Typhoon-Response

The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million volunteers in 187 countries. Staff and volunteers are already on the ground in the Philippines providing meals and relief items to survivors.

UNICEF — http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2013/11/super-typhoon-haiyan-strikes-philippines.html?gclid=CMemsMj73LoCFe1aMgod3E0ARA

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories around the world, striving to end child mortality. UNICEF staff has rushed into the Philippines to get medicines, nutritional supplies, and clean water to the children and families affected by the devastation.

Salvation Army — https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/TyphoonHaiyan

The Salvation Army helps with food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children’s programs. Staff is now working to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors. To donate $10, text TYPHOON to 80888.

Shelter Box — https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ShelterBoxUSAInc/PhilippinesTyphoon.html

Shelter Box responds instantly following natural and other disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who need it most. Each ShelterBox supplies an extended family with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.

World Vision — http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?funnel=dn&item=2639566&go=item&section=10339&

World Vision is rushing to meet the most urgent needs of food, clean water, and emergency shelter for 400,000 people by providing food, water, and hygiene kits at evacuation centers.

AmeriCares — http://www.americares.org/emergency-response/typhoon-haiyan-philippines.html

AmeriCares is a non-profit emergency response and global health organization that delivers medical and humanitarian aid in times of disaster. It also helps fund local relief organizations in the Philippines.

Visit the following sites for additional lists of organizations responding to Typhoon Haiyan:

* The Center for International Disaster Information — http://www.cidi.org

* InterAction — http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/interaction-members-respond-typhoon-haiyan

* ReliefWeb — http://reliefweb.int/disaster/tc-2013-000139-phl

U.S. Federal Government Response Efforts

In the days following the typhoon, the United States has provided all resources that have been requested by the Government of the Philippines for relief efforts.

In the hours following the storm, U.S. forces have focused on setting up command and control, in order to coordinate relief efforts and provide air and sea crafts for rescue missions.

* Secretary of Defense Hagel has ordered the George Washington carrier strike group to the Philippines to support recovery operations. As part of this strike group, 5,000 military personnel and 80 aircraft will be on hand to support relief missions.

* The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and a humanitarian assistance survey team are on the ground conducting damage assessment, and coordinating intelligence and search and rescue missions.

* Members of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines are also assisting with food and water deliveries.

* The United States Pacific Command (PACOM) has tasked the Littoral Combat Ship Freedom to support recovery operations.

* USAID has also activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team to conduct initial damage assessments and has provided $20 million in humanitarian assistance for the Philippines, which includes emergency food assistance, shelter, water, and hygiene kits. — http://www.usaid.gov/haiyan

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