Support Disaster Affected Filipino Youth

On August 18th, a typhoon passing to the northeast of the Philippines caused a phenomenon called “Enhanced Monsoon”. An enhanced monsoon occurs when the wet air from a nearby typhoon sends the Philippines’ monsoon rains into overdrive.

Here in Banaba, the enhanced monsoon brought rain for most of Saturday and all of Sunday. On Sunday night, the rivers began to overflow and vulnerable families were forced from their homes. Many members of youth group Buklod Ng Kabataan were among those who had to leave their homes and shelter in nearby schools.

Despite their own worries about their own homes the young people of Buklod Ng Kabataan are taking the lead in comforting others in the evacuation centres. One of their officers – Rachiel – is shown above serving food to the younger children in her centre.

The rain’s slowed for now, but we’re not out of the woods yet. At the time of writing, up to 30 mm of rain are expected in the next 24 hours, and the effects of the enhanced monsoon could last for up to four days. Unless the weather forecast changes, there will be more evacuation in the coming days.

We’re supporting Buklod Ng Kabataan’s youth leaders as they work to make evacuation easier on their friends and neighbors, and we hope you’ll help as well.

It costs just $3 to prepare a bowl of nutritious, warming oatmeal as breakfast for 10 evacuees. That means that when you give the minimum donation that GlobalGiving will process - $10 – we’ll be able to give more than 30 people breakfast.

If you’re not in a position to give, please share this update with friends and family so that we can help disaster affected youth in Banaba!

Thanks so much, and very kind regards!

Emma Taylor
IDV Director
www.IDVolunteers.org