Relief effort begins after Philippine typhoon

(AP) – The U.S. and other governments and agencies are mounting a major relief effort to help victims of the Philippine typhoon.

Brian Goldbeck, acting ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, issued a disaster declaration to provide an immediate $100,000 for relief efforts. Officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development are deployed around the country to monitor the damage.

Other charities working to provide relief in the Philippines include:

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UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

The United Nations World Food Programme said it has allocated $2 million for the disaster response and officials joined an assessment mission to survey damage in Leyte and Samar provinces.

WFP said it will send more than 40 tons of high energy biscuits and work with the Filipino government to help with logistics and emergency communications systems. It asks for donations at
http://www.wfpusa.orgor by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.

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UNICEF

UNICEF said its staff in the Philippines is being repositioned to help in relief efforts and 66 tons of emergency supplies are being sent from Copenhagen. An airlift set to arrive on Tuesday will include water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies. Donations can be made to UNICEF at unicef.org/support.

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RED CROSS

The American Red Cross said it has deployed two people to assist with assessments in the Philippines and activated its family tracing services. It asked those who want to support relief efforts to mail a check to their local American Red Cross chapter, with “Philippines Typhoons and Flood” in the memo line. Go to redcross.org for local chapter information or redcross.org.ph to donate directly to the Philippine Red Cross.

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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

Catholic Relief Services is accepting donations on its website, emergencies.crs.org, as it begins moving supplies and staff to respond to the typhoon.

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WORLD VISION

World Vision said it is putting together resources to assist 1.2 million people, including food, hygiene kits, emergency shelter and protection. It asked for one-time donations to be made at worldvision.org.

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AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has begun collecting donations for relief efforts. To contribute, go to
http://www.jdc.orgor call 212-687-6200.

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MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps said it has launched emergency response efforts to provide food, water, shelter and basic supplies to typhoon survivors. To contribute, go to
http://www.mercycorps.org/typhoonor call (800) 292-3355.

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AMERICARES

AmeriCares is preparing to deploy an emergency response team to the Philippines. To donate go to
http://americares.orgor call (800) 486-4357.

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INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE

The International Rescue Committee has dispatched an emergency team to Manila and launched a $10 million appeal. The IRC will work to determine which of its areas of expertise _ from water and sanitation to education _ are most needed.

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