Perhaps the strongest ever that rampaged across the Philippine archipelago with maximum sustained winds of around 315 kilometers (195 miles) per hour, typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) left over 100 people killed in Leyte while most areas still waiting for updates on casualties according ABS-CBN news.
Officials are still unable to determine exact number of fatalities and injuries because roads were washed out and phone service were down. It was reported that the destruction hit most of the Visayas region in the Philippines. The storm first roared to Samar, flooding streets, knocking out power and communications. Other provinces hit were Leyte, Iloilo, Oriental Mindoro, Tacloban, Surigao del Norte and Palawan. Hundreds of residents lost their homes In Cebu and Davao Oriental. Many are expected to be in need of food, water and medicine.
ABS CBN Foundation International announces that it is currently accepting donations to assist in rescue operations and providing aid to families that are now in evacuation centers where they are temporarily sheltered. Contributions can be made to “ABS CBN Foundation International (Typhoon Yolanda)” online at www.abscbnfoundation.org or via checks to 150 Shoreline Drive, Redwood City, CA 94065 or by calling (800)527-2820.
“The aftermath of typhoon Yolanda is expected to be devastating and catastrophic. After the distribution of relief goods, we will continue to appeal for help so we can rebuild houses, schools and more importantly lives of those who were displaced by the typhoon” says Jo Ann Kyle, Managing Director for ABS CBN Foundation International. “Our volunteer teams are already on the ground, making sure that we leave no one behind.”
As of today, the typhoon is already outside the Philippine area of responsibility and assessment of the damages is ongoing.
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ABOUT ABS CBN FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL:
ABS CBN Foundation International is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged Filipino families in the Philippines and around the world. Its flagship program, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), is a child abuse rescue operation that responds to an average of 15,300 calls for assistance a year. The program assists more than 21,000 children and families in relocation communities and feeds at least 4,400 severely malnourished children a year. Its education program serves 4.2 million elementary school children and their teachers. Other programs include Sagip Kapamilya (disaster rescue, relief and rehabilitation), ETV in schools (school reform in elementary schools) and Sagip Kalikasan (environmental programs). In the United States, the organization partners with Filipino-American organizations and associations in addressing community issues–youth truancy, housing, issues affecting the elderly, health, and emergency needs. For more program information, visit www.abscbnfoundation.org.