NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

NEWS IN RELATION TO EARTHQUAKES ETC. AND ACTUAL NATURAL DISASTERS

The reason for creating this NEW THREAD called "UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA" is:

TO MAKE IT EASY - FOR THOSE INTERESTED - TO HAVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN THAT REGION

including

- what is going on in that region

- the relief efforts of the relief organizations AND

- some articles with reports for instance from the rescuers or someone from the

relief organizations being in the area to get an overview of the situation.

On 10 May 2010 I am renaming the thread to cover natural disasters as such. New name should be: NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

NANCY

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

From the Press Centre

News note

UNICEF seeks $3 million to meet immediate needs of children affected by Indonesian earthquake

JAKARTA, INDONESIA, 9 October 2009 — As part of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan to last week’s earthquake in Indonesia, which was launched today in Jakarta, UNICEF is seeking $3 million to help meet the costs of continuing its life-saving work in the affected area, establishing systems to protect vulnerable children and coordinating key parts of the massive aid operation currently underway.

Priorities identified for affected children include securing adequate water supplies, preventing disease outbreak through improved hygiene, rapid training of local health workers on child nutrition, establishing temporary tent classrooms, delivering school supplies, and working with communities to prevent children being exploited in the aftermath of the earthquake that shook the province of West Sumatra on 30 September.

“Today’s Humanitarian Response plan underlines the determination of the UN system to support the Government of Indonesia and assist the process of recovery in West Sumatra,” said UNICEF Indonesia Country Representative Angela Kearney.

“It is vital that special attention is paid to the needs of children and their mothers, who have been especially hard hit by this disaster,” added Ms. Kearney. “Children need to see that services are being re-established, that they are being afforded proper protection and that their lives can continue, despite the terrible experiences they have lived through.”

In the days after the earthquake, UNICEF rushed more than 100 water storage containers – each with sufficient capacity for 5,000 litres of clean water – 20,000 jerry cans, 2,000 packages of water purification tablets, 40,000 hygiene kits containing buckets, soap, detergent, 250 school tents and 120 sets of school and recreational materials to the province.

The children’s agency aims to support at least 50,000 families with this immediate aid, while over the three months covered by today’s Response Plan up to 200,000 people will be reached by UNICEF assistance.

UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions. Its work, in close collaboration with national governments and other partners, is carried out with the sustained generous contributions received from governments, foundations, UN agencies, international financial institutions, individuals and businesses.

For further information, please contact:

Edward Carwardine, Chief of Communication, UNICEF Indonesia,

Tel + 62 812 123 7252,

E-mail: [email protected]

Patrick McCormick, UNICEF New York,

Tel + 1 212 326 7426,

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51374.html

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

Updates of the Situation in Southeast Asia

On 7 October I consulted UNICEF's website and posted this:

Help for victims of flooding in the Philippines

29-09-2009 - The devastation in the PHILIPPINES after the tropical storm Ketsana is enormous. Many thousands of children and families are on the run. UNICEF has started distributing emergency and continues its efforts and work in the coming days.

Assistance was out within 24 hours

Less than 24 hours after the tropical storm hit the capital Manila on 25 September, UNICEF was ready with both food and other relief to those affected. At the same time UNICEF helps the Social and Development Ministry provide temporary shelter to the many who have been forced to flee their homes.

More than one million affected by floods

As the tropical storm hit, the equivalent of one month's rain fell in just 12 hours. This has resulted in large parts of Manila being flooded, and more than one million people are affected by the aftermath of the storm. 226,000 people have fled their homes and are now seeking refuge in 200 evacuation centers. 24 provinces in the country are affected.

Shocking devastation

UNICEF's chief in the Philippines, Vanessa Tobin, has been around the capital in person to look at the devastation: "I am shocked at the degree of damage in different areas, but I am also impressed with the cooperation and generosity, which manifests itself in the city . Many have opened their homes for some of their affected country men, "says Tobin.

More help on the way

Vanessa Tobin said that UNICEF is already on the way with more help: "Over the next 48 hours we will, among other things distribute water purification tablets and equipment to ensure clean water and packets of the most necessary medical equipment. At the same time, we will distribute family kits containing, inter alia, blankets and soap. We will also assist the government and other organizations in seuring, that their help reaches the right people. " said Vanessa Tobin.

New storms expected

UNICEF is concerned for the future. The number of dead is expected to rise, and we know from experience that children and families will suffer a major health risk after flooding, when many refugees are assembled in small areas without clean water. Meanwhile, two new tropical storms are on the way to the Philippines. They are expected to hit the country Thursday and Friday.

http://www.unicef.dk/script/site/page.asp?artid=1299

I re-post this post giving a good insight into how an organization as Unicef responds to a new disaster / catastrophe. NANCY

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

Yesterday no_wow posted this: "The damage brought by typhoon Parma was much worse than Ketsana. It just affected so many people from the countryside. According to the news, it has claimed over 200 lives already".

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

GMANews.TV updates / Philippines Sunday 11 October 2009:

Rescuers rush to save Cordillera landslide victims

» Classes suspended in storm-hit NLuzon towns

» DA chief: 16K hectares crops in Cagayan lost to ‘Pepeng’

Some 16,000 hectares of crops in Cagayan province were lost to typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma) after it swept through Northern Luzon last weekend, but Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap insisted that the crop damage will not affect food security.

40 landslides in the Cordillera claim over 250 lives

10/11/2009 | 04:20 PM (Update 2 - 9:20 p.m.)

BAGUIO CITY - Over 40 landslides have decimated communities across the western half of the rugged Cordillera mountain range, claiming at least 250 lives with many more missing, after relentless rains brought by Typhoon Pepeng, according to the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR).

Provincial governors, however, are claiming even higher numbers, as rescue and recovery teams are finding more bodies in mud and debris.

While much of the current media coverage has been on the catastrophes in Puguis, La Trinidad in Benguet and Tadian, Mt. Province, most of the other landslides have escaped public attention, occurring in areas without power and communication, and isolated by sections of roads that have given way.

Of the 250 officially recorded fatalities, OCD regional director Olive Luces said 164 were in Benguet, 50 in Baguio City and 29 in Mt. Province.

However, Mt. Province Governor Maximo Dalog, interviewed today on GMA News, said his province has already recorded 40 dead with 10 missing. He was appealing for dogs that could sniff out bodies buried in the mud and choppers for evacuating the wounded, including one survivor who needed a foot amputation to save his life.

Hampering emergency operations in his province was the loss of electricity.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan said that as of Sunday morning around 175 bodies were recovered from landslide areas in Benguet, most of which were recovered from Sitio Little Kibungan in Barangay Puguis in La Trinidad town, while the rest came from the municipalities of Mankayan, Itogon, Atok, and Tublay.

KILLER SLIDE IN MT. PROVINCE

In Mountain Province, 38 bodies were recovered on Sunday in Sitio Bulala, Barangay Kayan East in Tadian town, as an entire mountain slope gave way. Ten more are reportedly missing while the three injured were brought to the Luis Hora General Hospital in the nearby town of Bauko.

A hill in Sitio Bulala collapsed at 6 p.m. on Thursday due to continuous and heavy rains brought by typhoon Pepeng. Of the 32 houses, 18 were damaged totally while five damaged partially. Able-bodied residents shown their traditional unity when they took the frontline of the rescue operations, local officials said.

Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Bunga in Tadian town, a residential house was also buried in a separate landslide on Thursday afternoon, killing three family members while two survived.

EXTENSIVE INFRA AND AGRI DAMAGE

Typhoon Pepeng brought extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the various Cordillera provinces and in Baguio City.

The worst damage reported so far is in Apayao, where combined partial damage to agriculture and infrastructure amounted to around P1 billion, Governor Elias Bulut reported to media earlier.

Kalinga province incurred partial damage to infrastructure worth P86.9 million, and crops worth P78 million, according to the PDCC.

Earlier, Mountain Province reported infrastructure and agricultural damage worth more than P11 million, while Benguet reported infrastructure and agriculture damage worth P1.246 million, reported the CRDCC.

Baguio City registered infrastructure damage worth P10.5 million while Abra registered damage to crops worth P1.32 million.

The Cordillera remains isolated as the CRDCC reported Saturday morning that all national roads linking to the provinces of Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Apayao and Baguio City remain closed due to severe landslides and washouts.

The Ileb Bridge which connects Kalinga to Cagayan is reportedly destroyed, forcing travelers to take a longer route.

Meanwhile, CRDCC reported a total power blackout in Mountain Province while partial power interruptions were occurring in Benguet, Abra and Mountain Province. CRDCC has no report on the status of power in Apayao, Kalinga, and Ifugao.

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

NOW THE VICTIMS REALLY NEED HELP - HAVING LOST THEIR HOMES AND EVERYTHING. THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE HOUSES HAVE BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED. - MUCH RECONSTRUCTION IS NEEDED. SO DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN - THAT CAN BE MONEY OR GOODS. ALL KIND OF HELP IS NEEDED!

Thanks, in advance. NANCY

but a dream · October 12, 2009

Thanks Nancy for all the information. I hope everything eases soon :(

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

Thanks But a Dream - yesterday there were some good news in between all the sad updates:

I noticed two positive pieces of news here: "Storm signals lifted as ‘Pepeng’ moves farther away" and "In Zambales, floodwaters have subsided .."

And I re-post an informative post made yesterday by the Philipino "engsol1500":

Posted by engsol1500 earlier Sunday / 11.10.09

After typhoon Ondoy, which claimed lives of about 150, I was not expecting that things could get worse. Apparently, the typhoon after Ondoy, Pepeng, was causing more devastation in the northern part of the country.

This still have to be confirmed but I heard from a friend yesterday that the major roads to one city in the north, Baguio City, was destroyed, disrupting rescue and relief operations...

Death toll from 'Pepeng' rises to 264; dozens more missingGMANews.TV - Sunday, October 11

The death toll from tropical depression “Pepeng" rose to 264 Saturday afternoon as rescue workers dug up more bodies of missing people, reports from police and relief agencies said.

Of the total, 222 were killed in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), mostly from landslides, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Chief Inspector Tessie Sarmiento, spokesperson of the CAR police, said at least 141 people have so far been confirmed dead in Benguet province, while the figure in Baguio City rose to 50.

Twenty-eight bodies were recovered in Mt. Province, and one each in Abra and Ifugao.

The figure is expected to rise further as total of 53 people have yet to be found in Baguio, Benguet and Mt. Province, police said.

The number of injured people due to floodwaters and landslides totaled 71, with 48 coming from Benguet, 13 from Baguio City, six from Mt. Province, and two from Abra.

A report of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said 34 more deaths were reported from La Union, five in Pangasinan and one in Ilocos Norte.

Pepeng-related deaths earlier reported include two in Camarines Norte in the Bicol region, and one in Nueva Ecija.

On Sunday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled to visit Baguio and Benguet. On Saturday she was in the Cagayan Valley region to inspect typhoon damage. Storm signals lifted as ‘Pepeng’ moves farther away.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Roads and damage Baguio remained isolated on Saturday as the three major roads that link the upland resort city to lowland provinces— Kennon Road, Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road — were closed by landslides.

Buad Bridge and Manila North Road Km 211+109 at the boundary of La Union and Pangasinan collapsed. In Pangasinan, motorists going north were advised to take the following detour routes: Camiling Road going to Dagupan, Lingayen, and Binmaley; and Urdaneta and Binalonan going to Manaoag. In Zambales, floodwaters have subsided in the towns of Iba, San Miguel, and Botolan. Vehicles can now pass through the Carael Highway. Preliminary reports of damage caused by Pepeng totaled P5.08 billion, including P1.08-worth of infrastructure, and P3.99-billion worth of agricultural products. Damage to private property amounted to P2.77 billion. Some 20,700 houses were damaged, 1,796 of them destroyed and 18,196 partially damaged, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Even at nightfall on Saturday, rescuers were still digging up for possible survivors in landslide-hit villages in the Cordilleras. Relief operations, meanwhile, were in full blast in evacuation centers all over Pangasinan and other places where tens of thousands of people have been displaced by floods.

Power failure continued to be experienced in some areas in Ilocos Norte due to damaged cable wires and fallen trees.

Power interruption was noted in the towns of Santa, Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait, Lidlidda and San Emilio.

At least one major road and 51 secondary roads and 11 bridges had been affected due to floods, landslides and mudslides. - GMANews.TV

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/2009101...4-d6cd5cf.html____________________

There were two positive pieces of news here: "Storm signals lifted as ‘Pepeng’ moves farther away" and "In Zambales, floodwaters have subsided .."

Now is the time where help from the outside world is really needed - with all these losses of human lives and damage to houses and infrastructure. A lot of reconstruction is needed. SO PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!

You can help / donate via several organizations such as for instance RED CROSS or UNICEF

Electric.Candy · October 12, 2009

some areas here in the Philippines are experiencing brown-outs, and some places has floods which haven't subsided yet.

inengsol1500 · October 12, 2009

a short video shared by the Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross on Twitter) on the situation of some areas in the Philippines...

http://twitter.com/philredcross #ondoy #pepeng:Out of sight, out of mind? Storms have passed but we still need your help. Video by David Guerrero. http://bit.ly/elMtd

inengsol1500 · October 12, 2009

Rescue operations in full blast as floods recede in N. Luzon

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/10/2009 9:47 AM

MANILA - Rescue operations went full blast in northern Luzon hit by floods and landslide as tropical depression Pepeng (international codename Parma) continued to move away from the country on Saturday.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that floods in various parts of northern Luzon, particularly in Pangasinan province, have started to recede, paving the way for more massive rescue and retrieval operations in the flood-hit and landslide devastated areas.

The agency said floods started to recede as rains brought on by tropical depression Pepeng (international codename Parma) began to ease.

Nathaniel Cruz, spokesperson of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Pepeng may already be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday afternoon.

PAGASA said that as of 5 a.m. Saturday, Pepeng was moving westward, onto the South China Sea, at a speed of 13 kilometers per hour and center winds of 55 kph.

Only the provinces of La Union and Pangasinan remained under storm warning signal number 1.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said troops deployed for relief operations in Metro Manila are being diverted to northern Luzon to help rescue operations in Pangasinan and nearby provinces and the retrieval operations in Cordillera region, particularly in Benguet province and Baguio City.

Torres said that as of 6 a.m., the NDCC has counted 153 deaths from Pepeng, with 132 bodies recovered from several landslide sites in Benguet.

He said 40 people remained missing, 37 of them are victims of major landslides in Benguet province.

Local disaster officials in the Cordilleras said Friday night that there were already 137 people confirmed dead and 43 were missing in rain-triggered landslides overnight Thursday and on Friday morning.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan said Little Kibungan in Barangay Longlong, La Trinidad town was the worst hit after a landslide buried at least 30 houses in the village at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

Officials have placed the number of residents in Little Kibungan at 150 although many residents reportedly fled the area before the landslide.

Seven more people died in a landslide that hit Tublay municipality and 54 people have also been reported killed in Baguio City due to landslides.

Mountain Province Governor Maximo Dulag said five people have been confirmed killed and 32 more missing in Tadian municipality.

Dr. Olive Luces of the Cordillera civil defense office said four major entry and exit points to Baguio, Benguet and Mountain Province remain impassable, cutting off much needed aid to those areas.

Massive rescue

Arevalo told ABS-CBN News that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, concurrent head of the NDCC, had ordered the military to focus on rescue operations in areas hit by landslides and deep floods in northern Luzon.

"Our focus is on rescue operations. That is our mandate right now. Troops in Metro Manila will be brought to [northern] Luzon," the military spokesman said.

The NDCC said rescue teams, including US troops, were spread in several areas in regions 1, 2 and 3.

It said a platoon from the Army's 50th Infantry Battalion was helping in the evacuations in La Union province, which was also hit by landslides and floods during Pepeng's onslaught.

Several retrieval teams were also dispatched to assist in the operations in Cordillera and evacuation teams in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Arevalo said majority of the troops deployed in northern Luzon were deployed to Pangasinan, which went under floods as high as 20 feet, according to reports.

The military spokesman added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development was scheduled to bring 15,000 food packs to Camp Aquino in Tarlac, which is the center of relief operations for provinces devasted by the storm in the north.

San Roque Dam not broken

Officials, meanwhile, on Saturday morning denied news circulating around Pangasinan that the San Roque Dam has been broken.

The news warned against massive flashfloods, sending several residents in panic.

Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon told radio dzMM that he has personally inspected the dam, and it remained "strong, and will never be broken."

Tom Valdez, vice president of the San Roque Power Corp., also assured that the dam remains “strong and firm” despite the high volume of water it has been carrying since the storm slammed into northern Luzon.

“The San Roque dam is intact. There is no crack. There will be no dam break,” Valdez assured.

Susan Espinueva, chief of PAGASA's hydrometeorological unit, also denied the rumors. She said that as of 7 a.m., the dam's water level has lowered to 288.7 meters and it has lowered its water release to 1,659 cubic meters per second.

Espinueva explained that the dam's management has succeeded in keeping the water level under the critical level of 290 meters.

Reports said more 20 villages were still flooded in Pangasinan, including the municipality of Rosales and Dagupan City.

Floods went as deep as 20 feet in the province due to heavy rains brought on by the storm and the release of water from San Roque dam, which catches water from upstream dams in Benguet province.

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

SUMATRA: Thousands of people were homeless on the Indonesian island of Sumatra last week after two major earthquakes - that is why the Danish Red Cross received four million Danish kroner from DANIDA for the massive reconstruction work.

BURMA (aka. Myanmar): The wind continues to be frightening in Myanmar. Theme: A year has passed since Cyclone Nargis smashed into the Myanmar (Burma). Today the reconstruction of houses, schools and farms has started, but the horrors of last year are still haunting the survivors. Thousands are still traumatized by the disaster.

COOPERATION WITH ECHO: The EU's humanitarian aid department, ECHO, support Red Cross relief work in several places in the world.

Help for 10,000 victims of Typhoon Morakot. Typhoon Marakot, with its more than 160 km / h devastated the coasts of CHINA, PHILIPPINES and TAIWAN. Red Cross helps with everything from the evacuation and shelter to flip-flops and cookware.

TAIWAN: Floods isolate typhoon victims: Typhoon Morakot that devastated TAIWAN recently was accompanied by floods and mudslides. Red Cross assists with search and rescue work.

What the Danish Red Cross does:

SUMATRA: Danish Red Cross has sent the equivalent of one million Danish kroner to SUMATRA. A large part of the mones goes to putting up 50 large tents to serve as temporary schools. 241 schools were so damaged during the earthquakes that they can no longer be used.

In addition, the Danish Red Cross received 300,000 Danish kroner from the Danish embassy in Indonesia. They include the purchase of 2,000 blankets, 2,000 sarongs, 2,000 hygiene kits and 600 tarpaulins.

http://drk.dk/nyheder/nyheder/fire+millioner+kroner+til+jordskaelvsofre

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

Very soon - probably from Wednesday - I will only be posting news item in UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.

NANCY

nancyk58;3559175 earlier today Monday 12 October 2009:

I am creating a thread called "UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA".

WHY? I'll make it easy for those interested to have:

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

including

- what is going on in that region

- the relief efforts of the relief organizations

- some articles with reports for instance from the rescuers or someone from the

relief organizations being in the area to get an overview of the situation etc.

NANCY :)

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

SPARKLE aka. IOSHI thinks that this important post needs reposting - and I fully agree, so here it is:

"I guess this needs another reposting:

http://moongirl.wordpress.com/2009/0...a-from-abroad/

Donating to Manila from abroad

September 28, 2009 by moongirl

Update: A million thanks to every single person who has forwarded me info. Many of them are in the Comments below, or on Facebook. This list is being updated constantly – please keep ‘em coming.

I’m not one for feeling helpless – and neither are the rest of the Filipinos around the world. When Typhoon Ondoy struck Manila this weekend and buried 80% of it underwater, everyone went online on Facebook and Twitter and started what my dad calls People Power 3.

If you’re outside the Philippines like me, and you want to help, here’s what you can do:

Donate Online

* PhilippineAid.com: http://www.philippineaid.com/

* Ayala Foundation: http://www.myayala.com/ondoy/

* World Food Programme: https://www.wfp.org/donate/ondoy

* TXTPower (Paypal): http://technology.inquirer.net/infot...ims-via-Paypal

* Ateneo Alumni Northeast, Inc: http://www.atenista-usa.org/site/fea...ondoy-victims/

* Xoom: http://ronaldredito.org/blog/321/ond...ion-using-xoo/

* HOPE Worldwide: https://www.hopeww.org/NetCommunity/...=1&erid=162143

Donate by Phone

* USA: Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-435-7669. Please choose the 3rd option (International Donation), then tell the operator that your donation is for the Ondoy (Ketsana) typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Donate Through Your Community

There might be people in your community gathering relief goods and donations. Find them and go.

* Australia (Sydney): Deliver donations to 303/5 Stromboli Strait, Homebush Bay 2127. message twitter.com/allorange for questions

* Australia: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1...w-you-can-help

* Austria: Cash: message Charmaine Taus ([email protected]). she’s having a benefit concert on October 22! concert details to follow.

* Bangkok: The Philippine Embassy will be receiving only donations in kind (ie., used clothing, shoes, blankets, and the like, and canned goods) …anytime between 9am-5pm until Fri. For queries, please contact the Philippine Embassy at (02) 259-0139 up to 40 or (08) 992-65954, or at [email protected].

* Belgium: For those based in Belgium they can contact Shiera Catalan at +32485328811 if they want to donate goods for typhoon relief

* California (Carson/Hermosa Beach): We are collecting donations to send to flood victims in Manila. Our goal is to fill up a 40ft container in one week with new or used clothing,shoes, blankets,medicines,canned food items, etc. Dropoff Location : 205 West Torrance Blvd, Carson, CA 90745. We will be setting up a booth on Oct 3, 2009 at the Substance event in Hermosa Beach CA. THANK YOU and God Bless Manila. TWITTER (Socal4Ondoy)

* California (Cerritos): Our house is temp drop off point while we find a bigger venue. We’ll facilitate immediate shipment to Manila. Thank you in advance for your help. Pls pass. Dino & Jan Home:16622 Amberwood Way Cerritos, CA 90703; (562)404-0625

* California (Daly City): Please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Liwanag Cultural Center, Hillside Park Clubhouse, 222 Lausanne Ave., Daly City‎, CA‎ 94014.

* California (LA): Relief goods accepted in LA! ANSWER ofc, 137 Virgil St, Rm 203, Los Angeles, CA

* California (LA): TULONG SA PILIPINAS (STP): Accepting donations cash or check. Send to People’s CORE, 1610 Beverly Blvd. Suite No 2, Los Angeles, Ca 90026. Donations more than $50 is tax deductible. Material donations drop off ( donations; shoes, clothes, canned goods. medicines etc. ) at ANSWER LA office at 137 Virgil St. Room 203 , Los Angeles, CA 900042.

* California (Oakland): Please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership. Attn: Armael Malinis, AnakBayan-East Bay. 310 8th Street, Suite 215. Oakland, CA 94710

* California (San Francisco): Stanford’s Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) is also collecting donations to be sent to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). If you would like to make a donation, please contact AV David at [email protected] or (650) 491-4561.

* California (San Francisco): http://naffaar8.com/typhoon-ondoy-ke...-francisco-ca/

* Canada: http://byncan.wordpress.com/2009/09/...ondoy-victims/

* Canada (Montreal): http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/...585/story.html

* Canada (Toronto): Filipinos and Friends in Toronto, here’s how to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (intl name Ketsana): http://pidctoronto.com/projects/typhoon also see: http://bit.ly/28PDXf Thank You!

* Germany: Contact Denise Matias at [email protected].

* Hong Kong: Filipinos in HONG KONG… Here’s how you can help: Ateneo Almuni Association HK is calling for donations to support relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in the Philippines. Contact: Mike Reyes at +852.67131869

* Illinois: Contact Raymond Maximo of Northern Illinois University – [email protected].

* London: Cash: Acct. Name: P. A. Cortez / Acct. Num.: 58099901 / Bank: HSBC UK / Sort Code: 400500

* Malaysia: For those in Malaysia, LBC is accepting donations in cash and kind. Their numbers are: 2026-8536 / 2070-0557. The office I know is at Kota Raya in KL.

* New Jersey: Sinugba Cafe – 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304; or Casa Victoria – 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803 You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan). For donations in New Jersey please contact: (201)621-3156-Yves Nibungco or (917)476-7855- Nick Cordero

* New York: Ondoy New York Disaster Relief drop off center @ Pandayan Center, 406 W 40th St. Between 9th and 10th Aves. New York, NY 10018 or call 212.564.6057.

* New York: NAFCON (Nat’l Alliance for Filipino Concerns)/SANDIWA Nat’l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth are now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Call (516)901-1832 or email [email protected] if you would like to help.

* Oregon: Cash: message Welo Chuidian Rivera ([email protected]), or check out her note: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=143295770052

* Singapore: Drop-off point for donations is Afreight Cargo, #03-09 Lucky Plaza, Orchard Rd. Contact Maureen Schepers 6235-1011. Get more information here: http://www.pinoysg.com/forum/viewtop...=664644#664644

*South Korea: For the Filipinos and concerned citizens in South Korea: Pease support PIKO (Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea) fund-raising campaign for the Ondoy flood victims in the Philippines. Let us all help by donating to KOOKMIN BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER (498101-01-232756). Your help counts!

* United Kingdom: Visit the OXFAM website "

THANKS IOSHI / SPARKLE.

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The series of wild winds / typhoons may have passed

but the devastations after

- the typhoons / floodings in the

Philippines and Vietnam

- the tsunami (in Tonga and

Samoa)

and

- the earthquakes on Sumatra,

Indonesia

are huge and so is the reconstruction work needed!

Therefore please HELP / DONATE !

NANCY

More updates of the situation in Southeast Asia later today or tomorrow.

Tonsu · October 12, 2009

Thank you so much Nancy for your efforts.

Perhaps this thread could also be made a sticky for a while?

Now is the time where help from the outside world is really needed - with all these losses of human lives and damage to houses and infrastructure. A lot of reconstruction is needed. SO PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!

You can help / donate via several organizations such as for instance RED CROSS or UNICEF

Absolutely, many lives are at stake right at this very moment.

nancyk58 · October 12, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

News from GMA News.TV - saw them 23:30 in the evening, Central European time

Suits mulled vs San Roque dam operators over floods

(Update 2 - 12:48 a.m. Oct. 13) Legal suits are looming over the operators of San

Roque dam for allegedly failing to properly warn residents along the Agno river basin in northern Luzon that last week's release of water during the height of typhoon “Pepeng" would cause massive flooding.

RELATED STORIES

» Arroyo orders relocation of residents in Benguet, Mt. Province

» Creation of special body to rehabilitate cyclone-hit RP opposed

» UN reaffirms commitment to RP relief efforts

» Senate to hear P12B calamity fund Tuesday

» RP to import rice next year as typhoons cut harvest

» Senate cancels Christmas party; funds go to typhoon victims

Flood in Pangasinan blamed on San Roque dam 2009-10-12 21:00:10

'Pepeng' damage to agriculture worth P308 million 2009-10-12 20:59:31

nancyk58 · October 13, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 13 OCTOBER 2009

http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html

Residents of Taytay, Rizal wait in waist-deep flood for relief goods to be distributed Monday by World Food Programme Philippines. Veejay Villafranca-WFP

At the Puguis Elementary School in La Trinidad, Benguet, Tuesday, President Arroyo hands out relief goods to landslide survivors. Thom Picana

Air Force personnel help Catherine Vicente, a landslide survivor from Atok, Benguet after she was airlifted Tuesday to a hospital in Baguio. Dave Leprozo

Baguio woes to ease as three major roads partially reopen

Baguio City’s isolation caused by landslides and lowland floods is expected to ease with the partial reopening Tuesday of two more major roads leading there, allowing the delivery of limited supplies of food, fuel, and relief goods. Last weekend was the first time all roads to the tourist resort city were closed since the 1990 earthquake.

RELATED STORIES

» Fake branded clothes to be donated to cyclone victims

» Relief goods for flood victims continue to pour in from abroad

» Pepeng damage in Benguet almost P700M

» Senate panel OKs P12B supplemental budget for Ondoy victims

» Operasyon ng dam, budget sa kalamidad ipinasusuri sa Senado

Rain-loosened mountain soil endangers Ifugao hospital

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Typhoon Pepeng’s onslaught in northern Luzon has loosened the mountain soil in this capital town, which now threatens to bury the provincial hospital together with some 50 families who live within the hospital’s perimeter.

Citing reports from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), provincial officials said a nearby mountain slope is in precarious condition, and continuous rainfall of at least four days may induce a landslide that could cover the whole hospital structure. :(

Albert Indunan, Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat’s executive assistant, told reporters that the ground itself on which the hospital building sits has also weakened due to the torrential rains brought by “Pepeng."

“MGB cautioned us that mountain soil and debris could totally engulf the entire hospital even for a few days of nonstop rainfall," Indunan said.

Ifugao’s 50-bed provincial hospital, located in Natuolan village along mountain slopes, was built in the 1980s. Indunan said the soil where the 30-year old provincial hospital building was constructed has become precarious.

“As among the ten areas in the country that are landslide prone, we who live in the Cordilleras know for a fact that the condition of the soil here is unstable," he added.

The recent typhoon that dumped record high rainfall in Northern Luzon has killed 238 in the Cordilleras alone as of last count.

The provincial government allayed fears of hospital patients and nearby residents, saying that preparations have already been made for the expected arrival of more rains in October and November.

At the same time, a new hospital building is expected to rise soon away from danger zone.

According to Indunan, the national government through the Department of Health has already committed 50 percent of the P100 million total cost for the construction of a new 75-bed medical facility in the capital town. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV

OTHER REGIONS STORIES

Food shortage in islands off Cagayan feared - 10/13/2009 | 07:55 PM

Food and medical supplies in the islands dotting the Babuyan Chanel off the coast of Cagayan province are dwindling fast.

Pepeng damage in Benguet almost P700M - 10/13/2009 | 07:22 PM

Aside from recording the biggest number of deaths caused by typhoon “Pepeng," Benguet has also suffered millions of pesos in damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and private property.

High tide aggravates flooding in 3 Bulacan towns - 10/13/2009 | 10:38 AM

The high tide in Manila Bay on Monday worsened the flooding in three towns in Bulacan province on Tuesday, according to the head of the Central Luzon’s Office of Civil Defense.

ALPA near Mindanao threatens to become cyclone - 10/13/2009 | 07:48 AM :(

A weather disturbance near Mindanao that has intensified into an active low-pressure area (ALPA) is threatening to intensify into another tropical cyclone.

Arroyo orders relocation of residents in Benguet, Mt. Province - 10/13/2009 | 12:39 AM

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the immediate relocation of residents in landslide-prone areas in Benguet, Baguio City and Mountain Province.

Low pressure area spotted off Mindanao - 10/13/2009 | 12:24 AM

The country has yet to recover from the devastation wrought by "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" but state weather forecasters on Monday said it is monitoring another low pressure area (LPA) that is poised to enter the country.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 2 p.m. Monday, the LPA was spotted 790 kilometers east of northern Mindanao."

Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Luzon will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms," Pagasa said.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the Northeast would prevail over Luzon and Visayas coming from the Northeast and North over Mindanao, it added.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate except during thunderstorms. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

BAD NEWS: THE ALPA = ACTIVE LOW-PRESSURE AREA NEAR MINDANAO THREATENS TO BECOME CYCLONE :(

nancyk58 · October 13, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

After so many negative / tragic / bad news I think that it is nice with a positive post like this one from Sparkle aka. Ioshi:

QUOTE (posted by Ioshi aka. Sparkle):

News comment of an American dweller in the Philippines:

"I wish you all could see the amazing community spirit, charity and compassion in the Philippines. What I see happening here totally blows away the response to hurricane Katrina. People here have less to give, yet they are giving ABUNDANTLY. There is such a greater story than just the 'death toll' that the lame american media fails to capture."

I really like this American dweller's positive attitude.

He sees things from the positive angle:

- The community spirit

- charity

- People's wish to stand together and help each other!

I was uplifted after reading this post. :)

Thank you, Ioshi for posting this. :thumbsup:

nancyk58 · October 14, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Unicef.org news (1:30am, 14/10-09 Central European Time):

Back to school in Samoa

UNICEF and partners provide a safe environment for tsunami-affected children

UNICEF in Emergencies

Philippines: Executive Director visits flood-stricken areas

Indonesia: UNICEF delivers hygiene kits to quake zone

India: Flash floods affect 2 million people

UNICEF seeks $3 million for children affected by Indonesian earthquake

UN Flash Appeal of nearly $75 million for assistance to victims of Ketsana/Ondoy

Back to school in Samoa: UNICEF and partners provide a safe environment for tsunami-affected children.

http://www.redcross.org/

Red Cross News

AmeriCorps Contributes to Red Cross Relief Efforts in American Samoa

A Texas-sized Show of Support for National Guard Troops

Red Cross Aids Storm-Plagued Philippines (see below)

Red Cross Blog

Disaster Online Newsroom

Red Cross Aids Storm-Plagued Philippines

Friday, October 09, 2009 —

Typhoon Parma is back. After cutting through the north part of the Philippines a week ago, it reversed course and returned on Friday morning as a tropical storm. Contending with widespread flooding, the global Red Cross network is now responding to immense humanitarian needs from this disaster as well as the recent Typhoon Ketsana.

Staff and volunteers with the Philippine National Red Cross are helping hundreds of thousands of people in evacuation centers across the country. The government estimates that nearly 40,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the storms.

“Multiple Red Cross responses during the past two weeks emphasize the value of our global network,” says Alex Mahoney, manager of disaster programs for Asia with the American Red Cross. “The Philippine National Red Cross was already on the ground, responding immediately to local needs. Meanwhile, we are sending financial assistance, supplies and a shelter specialist to support their relief operation.”

Specifically, the American Red Cross has mobilized aid to help those that need it most:

It is providing $950,000 in financial assistance and relief supplies to address the typhoons' impact in the Philippines and Vietnam.

It has tapped its pre-positioned stocks for both of these countries, sending thousands of insecticide-treated bed nets, jerry cans and blankets from its warehouse in Kuala Lumpur.

It has also sent an expert in shelter coordination to assist with local operations in the Philippines.

On the ground, the Philippine National Red Cross has been providing food aid to more than 40,000 families, as well as other relief items like hygiene kits.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org.

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=949551d37a934210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

On Oct. 9, the American Red Cross received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. government for typhoon relief in the Philippines. The grantor - the U.S. Agency for International Development - administers the U.S. foreign assistance program, providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 120 countries worldwide.

UNICEF NEWS

Unicef.org news (1:30am, 14/10-09 Central European Time):

Back to school in Samoa

UNICEF and partners provide a safe environment for tsunami-affected children

UNICEF in Emergencies

PHILIPPINES: Executive Director visits flood-stricken areas

Indonesia: UNICEF delivers hygiene kits to quake zone

India: Flash floods affect 2 million people

UNICEF seeks $3 million for children affected by Indonesian earthquake

UN Flash Appeal of nearly $75 million for assistance to victims of Ketsana / Ondoy

Back to school in Samoa: UNICEF and partners provide a safe environment for tsunami-affected children.

____________________________

GMA News.TV:

» 40 landslides in the Cordillera claim over 250 lives

» Giants wallop Whopper, spoil Aguilar’s debut

» Gas gone, food dwindling in Baguio City

________

RED CROSS NEWS / http://www.redcross.org/ B]

AmeriCorps Contributes to Red Cross Relief Efforts in American Samoa

A Texas-sized Show of Support for National Guard Troops

Red Cross Aids Storm-Plagued PHILIPPINES (see below)

Red Cross Blog

Disaster Online Newsroom [/b ]

Red Cross Aids Storm-Plagued PHILIPPINES (Friday, October 09, 2009)

Typhoon Parma is back. After cutting through the north part of the Philippines a week ago, it reversed course and returned on Friday morning as a tropical storm. Contending with widespread flooding, the global Red Cross network is now responding to immense humanitarian needs from this disaster as well as the recent Typhoon Ketsana.

Staff and volunteers with the Philippine National Red Cross are helping hundreds of thousands of people in evacuation centers across the country. The government estimates that nearly 40,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the storms.

“Multiple Red Cross responses during the past two weeks emphasize the value of our global network,” says Alex Mahoney, manager of disaster programs for Asia with the American Red Cross. “The Philippine National Red Cross was already on the ground, responding immediately to local needs. Meanwhile, we are sending financial assistance, supplies and a shelter specialist to support their relief operation.”

Specifically, the American Red Cross has mobilized aid to help those that need it most:

It is providing $950,000 in financial assistance and relief supplies to address the typhoons' impact in the Philippines and Vietnam.

It has tapped its pre-positioned stocks for both of these countries, sending thousands of insecticide-treated bed nets, jerry cans and blankets from its warehouse in Kuala Lumpur.

It has also sent an expert in shelter coordination to assist with local operations in the Philippines.

On the ground, the Philippine National Red Cross has been providing food aid to more than 40,000 families, as well as other relief items like hygiene kits.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

DONATIONS to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org.

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=949551d37a934210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

On Oct. 9, the American Red Cross received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. government for typhoon relief in the Philippines. The grantor - the U.S. Agency for International Development - administers the U.S. foreign assistance program, providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 120 countries worldwide.

__________________________________

http://www.News.TV

Relief goods for flood victims continue to pour in from abroad

10/13/2009 | 09:15 PM

Relief goods and other forms of assistance continue pour in from abroad for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" and typhoon “Pepeng," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

Among the donors are members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, who have just launched a campaign to collect donations.

Even Rep. Joey Manahan (District 29) told Philippine Consul General in Honolulu, Leoncio Cardenas, that he will join student groups in Hawaii in receiving donations until November.

Manahan will work with student leaders Richard Tabalno, president of Katipunan at University of Hawaii; and Niccolo Gruta, president of Kababayan at Hawaii Pacific University.

UH student organization Timpuyog will take part in the donation drive, while Katipunan will start receiving donations such as canned goods, usable clothing and other supplies starting October 13 until November, at the UH Student Center.

The Philippine Consulate General has offered to be a drop-off point for donations in kind.

Manahan also said LBC Foundation will help ship goods to Manila while Hawaiian Airlines and the US Pacific Command have made similar offers to fly to Manila all collected donations.

Cardenas extended the the Philippine government’s gratitude to the Filipino Community and the people of Hawaii for their overwhelming support to raise funds for the flood victims.

He also thanked the student leaders for their spirit of volunteerism and their passion to help the flood victims.

AID FROM ISRAEL

Meanwhile, an Israeli nongovernment organization, Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID), will send a team to the Philippines to assist in relief efforts.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the team, scheduled to leave for the Philippines last Saturday, will include of a doctor, a nurse, and three paramedics.

“The group will stay in the Philippines for two weeks, after which another team from Israel will take their place," the DFA said.

IsraAID is a coordinating body of Israeli and Jewish NGOs based in Israel that are active in developmental and relief work.

It aims to provide humanitarian aid worldwide for people who are in need, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, nationality or disabilities.

The DFA said IsraAID’s team in the Philippines will be working in close coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

FUND FROM ITALY

Meanwhile, Filipinos in northern Italy sent to victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana) some €2,700 (P184,736) in excess funds from their Independence Day celebration last June.

Philippine Vice Consul Mary Luck Hicarte turned over the donation to Rodel Dimatulac, branch head of Metrobank-Milan, for deposit.

According to the DFA, the amount will go to the Philippine National Red Cross, which is actively involved in relief work.

Filipino community organizations agreed in a meeting last week to donate to the PNRC part of the excess funds of the 2009 Independence Day celebrations.

During the meeting, the Filipino community leaders agreed to pool information and to facilitate coordination on the many relief efforts being undertaken by the community organizations, including two benefit concerts featuring Filipino and Italian artists.

The consulate reported the receptiveness of remittance centers and cargo forwarding companies to its request for the waiving of remittance and shipment charges for donations.

It also reported the opening of a donation box within its premises and its acceptance of relief goods for shipment to Manila.

A TON OF GOODS FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Filipino community members and fellow expatriates at least one ton of relief goods for victims of Ondoy victims back home.

A report on UAE-based news site Khaleej Times (http://www.khaleejtimes.com) said the donations included canned goods and clothes collected by a money transfer firm.

Employees of Xpress Money, the global instant money transfer brand of the UAE Exchange Center, gathered the items from colleagues and customers.

“These donations are small ways to express our solidarity with our Filipino friends, who have been the victims of the devastation caused by the ferocity of the typhoon Ondoy. We would like to help them overcome this difficult period in whatever possible ways we can, be it in cash or kind," said Sudhir Kumar Shetty, an Indian national who is COO-Global operations for Xpress Money.

LBC Parcel will bring the items to the Philippines free of charge as part of its contribution, the report said.

Philippine community leaders in Abu Dhabi also contributed 20,000 dirhams (P252,953) from their community funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meanwhile, the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has started accepting relief goods to be sent to the Philippines at four of its tents located across Abu Dhabi.

These include the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, Carrefour Airport Road, Marina Mall and Municipality at Salam Street.

“Just write ‘relief items for the Philippines’ at the bag," advised Noel Servigon, consul general and charge d’ affaires at the Philippine Embassy.

’DONATION DAY’ IN SWITZERLAND

On Oct. 9,.Swiss people held a “Donation Day" for Ondoy and Pepeng as well as for victims of quake victims in Indonesia and flood victims in India, a DFA report said.

The “Donation Day" has so far raised the equivalent of P283.321 million for the victims in the three calamity-hit countries.

“Donations have reached Swiss Francs 6,254,451 and may still go higher," it said, citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Berne.

The Swiss Solidarity Foundation, which organized the Donation Day, is the humanitarian arm of Swiss Radio and Television and the private print media.

It works with 30 partner groups to provide emergency relief in disaster areas. Their partners include Caritas, Medicins Sans Frontieres, Swiss Red Cross, Handicap International.

For its part, the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) based in Zurich coordinated directly with the Swiss Solidarity Foundation to assist the Philippines.

SACC is composed of entities doing business in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia.

Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Martin Kurer, SACC’s Philippine Chapter chairman, established the SACC Taskforce Asia (http://www.taskforceasia.ch), in close cooperation with the Indonesian ambassador in Switzerland and in coordination with the Philippine Swiss Business Council based in Manila, represented by Reiner Gloor.

The Philippine Embassy also conveyed the gratitude of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., chair of the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council, to the Swiss people.

“I have been informed about the efforts of the Swiss people and the Swiss government’s assistance and I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude. I wish to specifically mention the efforts of Swiss Solidarity, Glueckskette and Radio DRS. Thank you," Teodoro said in his message.

HELP FROM DOWN UNDER

Down south in Australia, Filipinos in New South Wales also raised donations and collected relief goods for flood victims.

“Families gave grocery products and clothes while senior citizens donated their pensions. Young professionals and university students approached groceries for donations of canned goods and pharmacies for medicines. Many Filipino-Australian organizations undertook fund appeals, to assist the civic relief groups sheltering and assisting flood victims," the DFA said.

A Filipino language radio program made a two-day radiothon and raised 11,000 Australian dollars (P462,000) in pledges.

As of October 6, three metric tons (3,000 kilograms) of collected food donations were sent by air to the PNRC, Gawad Kalinga, and other civic organizations.

“A second shipment of relief goods, which is targeting six tons (6,000 kgs) of assorted relief goods, is being assembled for immediate shipment," the DFA said.

Filipino-Australians in Blacktown City, where there are 21,000 Filipino immigrants, are organizing a concert to raise more funds for the flood victims, said J. Anthony Reyes, acting head of post of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.

BOXES FROM UK

In the United Kingdom, the Philippine Embassy in London and members of the Filipino-UK Community have begun shipping collected donations to the Philippines.

The DFA said 24 large boxes packed with donated items were collected from the Embassy’s premises on October 8.

Subsequent collections from the embassy are scheduled for October 15 and 20.

“All goods will be placed in a container van donated by Wentworth International Movers for shipment to the Department of Social Works and Development (DSWD) in Manila," the DFA said. - GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · October 14, 2009

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

UPDATES ON SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 14/10-09

http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html

62 towns in the nation's rice granary still flooded (10/13/2009 | 09:30 PM )

Three days after Typhoon Pepeng exited Philippine territory, vast areas in central Luzon remain flooded, with the nation's leading palay-producing province, Nueva Ecija, suffering from the most widespread flooding. Arayat town in Pampanga province - without the media attention directed at other towns - is enduring the deepest floodwaters, up to seven feet.

Data culled by GMA News Research from the Regional Office of Civil Defense for Central Luzon showed that as of Tuesday 23 out of Nueva Ecija's 32 towns, or nearly 72 percent, are still dealing with floods, although the waters are less than a foot deep or not as bad as those in adjacent towns of nearby provinces.

In 2008, Nueva Ecija topped the nation in rice production with 1,372,378 metric tons, more than 300,000 metric tons more than second leading producer Isabela. Nueva Ecija also led the nation in onion production.

A close study of the map shows that the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan still have a total of 11 towns that are submerged in at least two feet of water.

These include the towns of Arayat, Bacolor, Masantol, San Luis, Macabebe and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga; La Paz, Paniqui, Moncada and San Manuel in Tarlac province; and Calumpit in Bulacan province.

Tarlac is the country's seventh leading rice producer with over a half million metric tons in 2008.

In Pampanga, Arayat town suffered the worst flooding, with five of its barangays (villages) submerged in six to seven-foot deep floodwaters. This was followed by Bacolor and Masantol towns.

In Bulacan, Calumpit town was flooded by at least four feet, while in Tarlac, La Paz town remained submerged in at least three feet.

Meanwhile, floods in the following areas (orange) have already receded:

Palayan City, Nueva Ecija;

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija;

Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija;

Licab, Nueva Ecija;

Sta. Ana, Pampanga; and

Guagua, Pampanga.

» DPWH sees full repair of roads to Baguio in 1 month

» Flooding in Albay province prompts evacuations

» NDCC: ‘Pepeng’ death toll now 375, damage breaches P8B mark

____________________________

BBC World Service Text TV: Tsunami Drill across Indian Ocean:

18 countries in the Indian Ocean region are taking part in an exercise to evaluate the response of the region's tsunami early warning systems. The test will simulate the earthquake that struck off the northwest coast of Sumatra 2004 when 250,000 people were killed - more than half of them in the Indonesian province of Aceh. The drill is taking place today on the World Disaster Reduction Day. ZDF Text TV also mentioned this drill taking place on the "Welttag zur Katastrophenbekämpfung".

ZDF Text TV: Suffering following natural disasters: UN: 2,3 mio people died.

According to information given by UN 2,3 mio. people died in the past 3 decades from 1975 to 2008. 8,000 earthquakes, storms, floodings, landslides and fires caused enormous human suffering and vast devastations. In particular people in the poor countries are struck by these disasters.

Danish DR1: INDONESIA: Those missing after the earthquakes now declared dead

300 missing are now declared dead, so that the official death toll now amounts to 1,115 people. Enormous relief operations are on-going to help thousands of people who are homeless due to the earthquakes. The heaviest earthquake measured 7,6 richter and damaged Padang severely - Padang is a city of more than 1 mio inhabitants.

Posted this:

UPDATES ON SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 14/10-09

http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html

62 towns in the nation's rice granary still flooded (10/13/2009 | 09:30 PM )