How to Help Victims of Typhoon Haiyan

When disaster strikes, the United States is the first to respond with aid, troops and whatever else anyone needs. Now, our friends in the Philippines need us, so here's what we can do. 

Typhoon Haiyan tore through the Philippines last week, packing winds of 147 miles an hour and causing a 20 foot storm surge. Remember the devastation done up and down the East coast by Hurricane Sandy? Hurricane Sandy roared on shore with 80 mile an hour winds and a storm surge of about five feet. Hiyan’s winds were more than one and a half times more powerful and the storm surge was five times as high. Total, complete and utter devastation doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Rescue and relief efforts are underway, but as the cleanup begins, and the death toll rises, the people of the Philippines are going to be needing help for a long time to come.

World Food Program

In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, more than 2.5 million people are in need of food and clean water. That’s where the World Food Program comes in. The WFP is part of the United Nations and they’re the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, and right now they’re mobilizing to help those affected and you can help, too. Donations can be made at the website or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.

UNICEF

Not only are the Philippine people in desperate need of food, they also need clean water, shampoo, soap and shelter. That’s where UNICEF can help. It would cost you and I a lot of money to pack up and ship needed supplies, but UNICEF can do it on a lot larger scale and get it there much more quickly than we could. UNICEF also provides immunizations, sanitation, proper nutrition, and other emergency relief. You can donate on their website, via a mail in form or by calling 1-800-367-5437.

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services aims to help the impoverished and disadvantaged and right now, they’re in need of financial assistance to complete their mission and help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Eight dollars can send a clean water kit. For $15, you can buy an emergency shelter for a family who lost their home. For $22, a family will get sleeping mats, blankets, eating utensils, drinking glasses and a cooking pot. If you can spare $28, a family will get a two month supply of hygiene items like soap, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care products and towels. You can help by donating online, via phone at 1-877-435-7277 or by simply saying a prayer.

Salvation Army

Anyone who has listened to this show knows that I have a very special place in my heart for the good people of the Salvation Army. Right now, the Salvation Army has a team on their way to the hardest hit areas and they need our help. Relief workers have placed an order of $100 thousand dollars worth of food, water and supplies. Cash donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors without incurring many of the costs associated with sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods. Salvation Army disaster services are funded entirely by donors, and The Salvation Army uses 100% of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief operations. You can donate online, by mail, by phone at 1-800-725-2769, or by texting TYPHOON to 80888 to make an immediate $10 dollar donation.

There are so many other worthy causes like the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity that need assistance. You can find them all HERE.