The Canadian Red Cross is now accepting donations to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. The humanitarian impact of Haiyan threatens to be colossal.
The typhoon has already caused wide-spread damage, including landslides and flooding. Among the people affected are those who were left homeless by an earthquake in mid-October.
The Philippine Red Cross has been working closely with local disaster authorities in supporting pre-emptive evacuations. More than 125,000 families were evacuated to safer shelters ahead of Haiyan’s landfall. Red Cross volunteers and staff have disseminated early warning messages and safety tips through the network of Philippine Red Cross branches in areas along the typhoon’s path. Emergency responders and volunteers have been mobilized to support rescue efforts by authorities.
Haiyan has already tracked across Visayas in central Philippines and made landfall five times in Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo provinces. Some 50 provinces and cities have been placed under public storm warning signals. Red Cross volunteers in areas where the typhoon has already made landfall are reporting significant damages although a clearer picture will only emerge once the storm subsides.
As it leaves the Philippines, Haiyan will continue northwest across the South China sea and is expected to make landfall in central Viet Nam, causing extensive damage in the same areas where thousands of people were rendered homeless following Typhoons Wutip and Nari, both of which struck within the past six weeks.
The Red Cross has a global network of trained disaster response experts and pre-positioned emergency supplies ready to send as needed. This includes the Canadian Red Cross field hospital, which is on stand-by at all times thanks to a partnership with the Government of Canada.
The Canadian Red Cross is on stand-by with both personnel and supplies, including our field hospital, ready to be deployed quickly if requested.
Canadians wishing to help those affected by this storm are encouraged to make a financial donation
online at www.redcross.ca, at their local Red Cross office or by calling 1-800-418-1111. Please earmark donations “Typhoon Haiyan”. Funds will be used to support Red Cross efforts in all countries affected by the storm.