Students and faculty saw it on the news. The pictures were online, and they were horrific.

On Monday, November 11,2013 the Philippines were not expecting the storm they got. Hit with 195 mile per hour winds and floods, the Philippines are in a state of disaster. Typhoon Haiyan is responsible for the damage of the land and of the people’s familyies. According to most news sources, it is estimated that almost 4000 people are dead, 1000 missing, and many more are to be found.

Typhoon Haiyan is said to be the largest typhoon to hit land on record. Causing complete destruction of the Philippines. The people are now stuck where they are and need help. A lot have been fortunate to receive help, but those who are in the worst parts of the country still have not been able to get help. The destruction and rubble piles are too much for rescue crews to land, the people will hopefully get the help they need fast.

Many were killed by the impact of the storm, but the death toll is expected to rise due to finding more bodies and the shortage of food and purified water. Though many are lucky to have survived the typhoon, they now face the dreaded aftermath. Many Filipinos have no where to go, no food to eat, and no water to drink. The water that they have around them is not purified and, if consumed, could cause them to become very ill.

When Hurrican Sandy hit the East coast last year, local students and faculty came together to help those coping it the storm’s destruction. Although this case is not as local, students still have several options for volunteering opportunities and donating to help those in need. Below are three organizations that are trying to meet the needs in the Phillipines.

Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse has already delivered emergency aid to people. They also have deployed disaster response specialists and water and nutrition experts immediately after the storm had hit to make sure the people were getting clean water. They also delivered supply kits with food and hygiene products. More information is available http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) currently works in more than 190 countries and territories doing their best to save and improve children’s lives. They work through fundraising, advocacy, and education. In the Philippines, they were the first to deliver and install water treatment plants in the city of Tacloban back to full operation, making at least 200,000 people have running water that were affected. More information about donating is available at www.unicefusa.org/philippines.

ShelterBox

Teams were already in the country helping with those who were affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Oct. 15 in Bohol. Over 500 ShelterBox kits have been delivered to help. ShelterBox kits vary from condition, but traditionally contain a tent that can withstand any weather conditions, water purification kit, tools to rebuild, blankets, and other important necessities to help the families survive after disasters. More information is available at www.shelterboxusa.org.