Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

The following is an e-postcard from Zamil Akhtar, a GlobalGiving Representative in the Philippines:

When I arrived at the coastal community in Lian, Batangas, the first thing I saw was a basketball court. No community in the Philippines, no matter how poor, is without one. But what many communities do lack are adequate resources to prepare for floods and typhoons. De La Salle University has helped equip this community with the education and resources to survive floods, typhoons, and tsunamis.

I didn’t have the energy to hike up the mountain, but the villagers assured me that they had a path up if a tsunami were to hit. They also had rescue boats and an early warning system – provided for by De La Salle University. Disaster preparedness can mean the difference between life and death for these people, and nothing is more essential in the Philippines right now.

APPEAL FROM THE VICTIMS OF TROPICAL STORM MARING ENHANCED SOUTHWEST MONSOON

The southwest monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by tropical storm “Maring” (international name – Trami) brought  heavy rains during the last three days (from Aug 19 to 21, 2013) causing widespread flooding  in  Metro Manila and  parts of Luzon.  The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports that approximately 223,991 families were badly affected translating to 1,06,094 people in 1,028 barangays from  80 municipalities and 35 cities in five regions.  Of these, 29,041 families or 132,969 individuals are sheltered in evacuation areas while 30,754 families or 148,157 persons were housed with friends and relatives. It also reported that 8 persons died, 41 were injured, and 4 others missing. Damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Regions I, IV-A, IV-B, and the Cordillera is initially estimated at PhP 66,763,939.

Call for Support

Partner communities of De La Salle University also appeal for support after their homes were flooded or washed away. The Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) issued a call for cash/check and in-kind donations using various means.  Donations may include any of the following:

FOOD ITEMS: • rice • canned goods • dried fish • mung beans • sugar • vegetable oil • coffee • milk • bottled water • noodles;

NON-FOOD ITEMS • clothes (pants, t-shirts, shorts, underwear) • plastic sheets • sleeping mats • blankets • kitchen utensils • medicines • water containers • laundry soaps • sanitary napkins • tissue; and

OTHER MATERIALS INCLUDE • construction supplies (housing repairs) • fishing nets • seeds;

Donation boxes are found along the DLSU campus.  Donors may also opt to donate items to La Salle schools nearest them. Please contact Ms. Mei Guanzon, CMSD Program Manager at (02) 525-4267 to coordinate cash and check donations.