Massive relief efforts

Massive relief efforts

For victims of storm sendong

By Joseph Smooke

Grassroots and international efforts based throughout North America are mobilizing a massive relief effort for the victims of tropical storm Sendong that hit northern Mindanao on December 17.

The storm blew ashore in the early morning hours while most were sleeping. Water levels quickly rose as homes and other buildings were washed away leaving a path of destruction and nearly a thousand dead. As of December 22, there have been 954 casualties, and 73,345 families and 547,618 individuals affected. Cagayan de Oro City bears the severest burden and Iligan City is seriously impacted as well as reported by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines website.

Consul General PEDRO CHAN will receive donations at Consulate in Toronto

The Philippine Consul General in Toronto, Pedro Chan said that the only tragedy he can compare this to is the 1991 tropical storm Uring which struck Ormoc on the island of Leyte killing nearly 3,000.

The Harper government has not issued a statement of support or commitment of aid for the Philippines, but the minority Liberal party through its leader Bob Rae has urged the government “to engage with the diaspora community here in Canada and match dollar-for-dollar what the community raises to help their families and friends in the Philippines.”

One of the most important recipients of local aid dollars is Consulate General Chan who was on official business in Saskatoon when Sendong hit Mindanao. He immediately refocused his trip to raise money for victims, and he continued this effort when he arrived in Regina where a crowd of over 1,000 people lined up to see him and provide their support. Chan returned to Toronto on Dec. 21, and is organizing a concert benefit to be held in Toronto.

Toronto-based organizations working to provide direct benefits to victims include Migrante Ontario and the Canadian Aid and Relief Project (CARP).

Migrante Ontario’s focus is on monetary donations. Jonathan Canchela, Migrante Canada’s Representative for Western Ontario, says that the quickest and easiest way to get aid to those in need is by donating money. “Of course we welcome in-kind donations. If some people prefer to donate things like canned goods, blankets, etc. we will collect them and ship in boxes to Migrante International in Manila.” This international network is one of Migrante’s strengths and enables donations to be used effectively for the benefit of those in dire need.

DR. FRANCISCO PORTUGAL: CARP will provide medical, surgical, dental mission in Cagayan de Oro

Dr Francisco Portugal who coordinates CARP says they previously planned a medical, surgical and dental mission to Bohol and Cebu in April 2012. Because of the urgent need of Sendong victims, however, they will instead provide these services in Cagayan de Oro.

Dr Portugal says that CARP has set up donation bins at locations in Toronto, Scarborough, and Mississauga to collect clean clothes and dry and canned foods. They are also accepting monetary donations. When CARP arrives in Cagayan de Oro in late April, in addition to the medical mission, they will be distributing all the money, clothes and food they receive from their donation drive.

Another GTA-based organization, World Vision, has already mobilized their expansive network in the devastated region.

The United Nations reported Dec. 20 that “the Government of the Philippines has accepted the offer of assistance from the international humanitarian community.” The UN report says “UNICEF is delivering water and sanitation supplies and is calling for $4.2 million to help families affected by the storm for the next three to six months.” The Philippine government has requested that the UN’s World Food Programme “provide food and other support” which they are doing by “distributing three tons of high energy biscuits for nearly 8,000 people.”

There are many other organizations providing essential support and relief as no one effort or organization can possibly address all the short or long term issues resulting from such a catastrophe. You can find a list of these resources elsewhere in this issue. The response throughout the Philippines from non-governmental organizations, religious and academic organizations, and community-based groups has been broadcast through traditional networks and social media.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s website says that “Sendong is the 19th tropical cyclone to lash the Philippines this year” and blames this overwhelming level of storm activity on climate change. “We can still further mitigate the effects of global climate change and disaster but we have to really pull together.”

Canada received harsh international criticism for its refusal to support the Kyoto Protocol at the climate change summit earlier this month in Durban, South Africa. While long-term solutions to global warming and its effects elude our world’s largest emissions producers, real people continue to suffer.