Bermuda Red Cross Launches Haiyan Appeal

The Bermuda Red Cross is launching a cash appeal to support the British Red Cross’ launch to help assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Typhoon Yolanda, struck the Philippines on 8 November 2013. With reports of winds over 190mph it is considered the strongest storm to ever make landfall – and one of the most powerful ever recorded with thousands feared dead.

It has caused widespread damage and millions of people have been affected; including those already left homeless by the earthquake that struck in mid-October. Estimates are that the death toll could reach 10,000.

As well as the earthquake in October the population is already vulnerable due to a series of storms that have crossed the Philippines at typhoon strength since August, 2013, causing the ground to be already saturated and increasing the risk of land slides and flooding.

Typhoon Haiyan has caused massive power outages and communications lines are down making initial needs assessments difficult, but it is believed that the humanitarian impact threatens to be colossal due to widespread torrential rain and damaging winds, triggering life-threatening flash floods.

Tens of thousands of buildings were razed to the ground in the disaster and more than 340,000 people fled their homes – 270,00 of whom have been sleeping under tarpaulins or in makeshift shelters and are extremely vulnerable.

The Bermuda Red Cross is appealing to the Bermuda community for donations to support the large-scale relief efforts of the International Movement.

Donations can be made by direct deposit into the following accounts:

• HSBC Bank of Bermuda 010-187417-012
• Bank of N.T. Butterfield 20-006-060-663859-200

Or by mail to:

• Bermuda Red Cross
• Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
• Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget DV 03

A spokesperson said, “The Red Cross does not accept or solicit small, individual donations or collections of items such as food, used clothing and shoes as they must be cleaned, sorted, and packaged which impedes the valuable resources of time, personnel and money that are needed for other aspects of relief operations.

“The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation.

“Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site, which avoids delays, and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims.

“The Red Cross initially responds to most international relief efforts with monetary support, and, when needed, ships items such as comfort kits, clean up kits, medical supplies, tents or tarps.”

“Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy.”

The Association of Filipinos in Bermuda have also been raising money to assist their homeland, with over 200 people attending a fundraising lunch at St. Theresa’s Church Hall today [Nov 11].

#Asia #BermudaRedCross #CharityEvents #PhilippinesTyphoon

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