“While there’s life, there’s hope.” – Cicero
The Worst Is Yet To Come?
Since posting my blog entry ‘Typhoon Ketsana – Bigger Than Katrina’ yesterday morning I received nearly 300 emails, mostly for more information about and images detailing the human aspects of the natural disaster that struck the Philippines over the weekend.
The images you are about to view below are but just a small but graphic examples of what this very recent calamity has done to the lives of hundreds upon thousands of displaced people in the Philippines. But the worst is probably yet to come. After the massive flooding that hit this country health officials expect a rise in cholera, dengue and other water-borne diseases related to exposure from scattered debris, lack of protective dwelling places, and possible instances of starvation in the poorer areas of Luzon Island which suffered the brunt force of this catastrophic typhoon. Roads and bridges have been destroyed.
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Expressions of Hope
One of the many proactive comments that emerged from some of these emails is that disaster relief efforts are more effective if your giving (in cash or kind) is channeled directly through more established nonprofit organisations that have experience in these matters. This ensures that the goods and funds received from you go directly and quickly to affected victims and their families who need it most, rather than official government channels that are far less efficient in handling such matters of relief because of bureaucratic crawl and the consequent dissipation of valuable resources that result.
People in the Philippines are now exposed, hungry and homeless, dislocated and frightened not knowing what the next hour of their lives will bring. As a result, many lives are wrenched and disrupted. If you were in their place, what thoughts of despair would cross your mind? Give them hope.
In Their Hour Of Need
The last image you find above contains a link. If you hover and click it your action will transport you to the website of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). This site has a section containing some very helpful information about How You Can Donate regardless of where you are in this world. Donations in cash or credit card are accepted by the PNRC in US Dollars, Euro, Yen and Philippine Pesos. SWIFT codes are also included. SWIFT Codes are also included. PNRC’s National Headquarters’ Hotline Number is: +632 5270000 if you’re calling from overseas, or 143 if calling through a local line.
If your own circumstances do not allow you to donate, however, then at least pass this information to people you know who can. The SHARE button found below allows you to distribute the message to almost all the better known social networking websites around the world where you or your network of friends might have an account. Put it to good use.
In this day and age of the Internet on Web 2.0 and the inherent power it brings to your fingertips to communicate with blinding speed across vast distances, your acts and those of others you may know will surely mean something to many who are now in dire need of your valuable help.
In their hour of need, this is one case where haste does not waste.
100 % true..I trust this organization esp. when you are in charge
Hi Karl,
There will always be skeptics, there will always be those who will question, “What if”. There is nothing wrong with that. All I can say is Operation Blessings Foundation’s record is impeccable. I sit as president & I assure you that whatever this organization received either in cash or kind, every cent & all goods will all go to our “Kbabayans.”
Blessings,
Peter k.