Typhoon Sendong - How To Donate And Help The Victims

On December 18, 2011, tropical storm Sendong with international code name Washi slammed into the southern part of the Philippines releasing a magnitude of flash floods and landslides in many parts of Mindanao. The storm has left widespread destruction and heavy casualties among those living in the path of the tropical storm

The provinces of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, Bukidnon, Negros Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del Norte and Surigao del Sur were mostly affected with death tolls now reaching 1,000 and hundreds reported injured or still missing as of date. As the government declared a national state of calamity, evacuation centers are filled to the limit with hardly enough basic supplies available. In less than 12 hours, typhoon Sendong dumped 142mm. of rainfall in which the local weather bureau (PAGASA) considers it to be an extremely heavy rainfall.

As the storm brought its heavy rains on a Friday night, majority of the victims were asleep when riverbanks began to overflow swiftly causing many to drown or get washed away in a raging flow of mud and debris. Search and rescue missions are currently underway yet amongst the effort, heart breaking images and stories have been difficult to live by for the rescuers.

Warning the images that your about to view may be disturbing.

In the aftermath of the tropical storm, calls are being made for donations for the victims who are badly in need of food, water and clothing supply. As many have donated supplies and monetary assistance (including this writer), your precious donations can be made through the following foundations and agencies that are dedicated in providing comfort and relief to those that are affected by typhoon Sendong.

Maintaining a round-the-clock monitoring personnel on the situation in Mindanao, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) serves as a primary relief agency in disaster stricken areas. Online donations can be made through their website at: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

A trusted and accomplished non-governmental organization in the Philippines,the foundation is among the forefront organizations providing heavy relief operations in Mindanao. Donations are accepted at: http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate

Just like the GMA Kapuso Foundation, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation is also currently at the center of relief operations with a number of dedicated volunteers. For more information on how to donate to the foundation, visit:http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/

A lead Catholic agency for social services, Caritas Manila is accepting donations for its relief effort for the victims of the typhoon. Donations are accepted at: http://www.caritasmanila.org.ph/online-donation-form

Disasters and tragic events have always been part of man’s struggle to survive life. For the surviving victims of this unfortunate event , living the aftermath can perhaps be even more painful than the physical injuries that they have sustained. Providing them a ray of hope is the least we can do for them to move on in life with the amount that we can give.