A day after Super Typhoon Yolanda’s onslaught in Tacloban and other areas in Visayas, even the updates reaching the television networks are late due to the massive damage the storm, with its strong winds and violent storm surges, made to properties, infrastructures and communication facilities. Towns are flattened and more than 10,000 are feared to be dead. Most of the Visayas region has no electricity and assessment on the damage the storm made have yet to be  made. It sure was heartbreaking to see the news and see lonely images of loss, of frightened children, of hopelessness and sheer desperation.

Even authorities were distraught at how massive and wide the damages were and were appalled to even think of where to start. One official even mentioned that nobody can prepare for a storm such as Yolanda {international name: Haiyan}, which was considered to be one of the strongest storm to ever hit the country and the world. But as emergency meetings are set up, people are hungry in the streets while a lot of people remains to be found. Although relief operations were dispatched, as well as medical teams to help take care of the dead victims,  and policemen to help maintain peace and order, there are still many who are in need of our help.

Here are some of the ways in which you can extend help to our countrymen in Leyte and other affected areas:

Philippine Red Cross

• Text: RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 {Globe} or 4143 {Smart}
• redcross.org.ph/donatenow {donations thru Paypal are also allowed}

Habitat For Humanity Philippines

• Account Name: Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation, Inc.
• For Peso Donations: Bank Of the Philippine Islands Current Account 2421-0014-24
• For Dollar Donations: Bank of the Philippine Islands US Dollar Account 242-0111-45, SM Megamall Branch {Bank BSB: BOPIPHMMXX}
• For online donations: https://www.give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines
• For In-Kind Donations kindly call Habitat for Humanity Philippines at 846-2177 and ask to be connected to Marketing and Communications Group

ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya

• You may bring In-Kind donations to: 13 Examiner St., West Triangle, Quezon City Telephone Number: 411-4995
• You can also pledge donations through their Telethon by dialing one of the following numbers: 411-0013, 411-0014 and 15, 411-0182 and 411-0183
• Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. – Sagip Kapamilya
• For Peso Donations: Bank Of the Philippine Islands Account 305-111-2775, West Triangle, QC Branch {Swift Code: BOPIPHMM}
• For Dollar Donations: Banco De Oro Account 393-008-1622, Sct. Albano, QC Branch {Swift Code: BNORPHMM}