In early December, Typhoon Bopha, a category 4 storm with winds of 175km per hour, devastated entire villages in the Philippines. More than 6.2 million people have been affected by the disaster.
A massive relief operation has been set up as more than 168,000 homes have been damaged and close to 980,000 people are currently sheltering in and around 68 evacuation centres. As of now, over 1,000 people have died and more than 800 are still missing.
The role of the Canadian Red Cross
As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the Canadian Red Cross - the country's leading charity organization - responds to emergencies and disasters wherever they strike with assistance for those in need.
While individuals in the Philippines have been impacted by mudslides and flash floods in the aftermath of Typhoon Bopha, the Canadian Red Cross supports the efforts of organizations like the Philippine Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide families and those in the region with vital supplies.
The Red Cross Movement is providing these communities with food, shelter, clean water and hygiene items. The Canadian Red Cross has already responded by sending an emergency shelter expert, and has additional emergency personnel support and resources on standby if needed.
On the ground
Typhoon Bopha affected several areas in the Philippines, including remote areas of Eastern Mindanao that have been difficult for Red Cross workers to reach due to the fact that roads or other points of access have been washed away and bridges have collapsed.
Despite these challenges, staff and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross have served ready-to-eat meals to 15,000 people living in temporary evacuation centers and have delivered packages of food to 5,000 families. In addition, the Philippine Red Cross has provided sleeping mats, blankets, hygiene mats, tents and other essential non-food items to 1,000 families.
How you can help
With the help of Canadians just like you, the Red Cross can continue to provide relief to those in need. To show your support for Typhoon Bopha response efforts, please donate to the Philippines Typhoon Fund online, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or by visiting a local Canadian Red Cross office today. Your generosity can help those affected by the disaster begin to rebuild and recover from the incident.