World governments and agencies have announced a major relief effort to help victims of the Philippine typhoon. Here are some of the pledges they have made:
United States
Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. is organizing emergency shipments of critically needed material to provide shelter, food and hygiene supplies to thousands of families.
Acting U.S. Ambassador Brian Goldbeck issued a disaster declaration to provide an immediate $100,000 for relief efforts. Officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development are deployed around the country to monitor the damage.
Red Cross
The American Red Cross said it has deployed two people to assist with assessments and activated its family tracing services. It asked that checks be mailed to local Red Cross chapters, with “Philippines Typhoons and Flood” in the memo line.
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has begun collecting donations. To contribute, go to www.jdc.org.
AmeriCares
AmeriCares is preparing to deploy an emergency response team. To donate, go to http://americares.org.
Britain
The United Kingdom is deploying a Royal Navy warship and donating about $16 million worth of humanitarian assistance, British Prime Minister David Cameron said.
Britain will also deploy Royal Air Force military transport aircraft in aid of recovery efforts, earmarking at least one C-17 cargo plane to move humanitarian aid and large equipment.
Australia
Australia announced assistance of $9.4 million. That includes the deployment of an emergency medical team, aid to the U.N. Flash Appeal and aid to Australian non-governmental organizations for immediate life-saving assistance.
U.n. World food program
The U.N. World Food Program said it has allocated $2 million for the disaster response, and officials joined an assessment mission to survey damage in Leyte and Samar provinces.
WFP said it will send more than 40 tons of high-energy biscuits and will work with the Filipino government to help with logistics and emergency communications systems. It asks for donations at www.wfpusa.org.
UNICEF
UNICEF said its staff in the Philippines is being repositioned to help with relief efforts, and 66 tons of emergency supplies are being sent. An airlift set to arrive today will include water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies. Donations can be made at unicef.org/support.
Japan
Japan will fly in a 25-member relief team of mostly medical staff.
Taiwan
Taiwan said it will send $200,000 in aid.
World Vision
World Vision said it is putting together resources to assist 1.2 million people, including food, hygiene kits, emergency shelter and protection. It asked that one-time donations be made at worldvision.org.
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps said it has launched emergency response efforts to provide food, water, shelter and basic supplies. To contribute, go to www.mercycorps.org/typhoon.
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee has dispatched an emergency team to Manila and launched a $10 million appeal. The IRC will work to determine which of its areas of expertise — from water and sanitation to education — are most needed.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders said it has 15 members in Cebu city and will send an additional 50 people in the next few days. It said it also is sending 329 tons of medical and relief supplies. To donate, go to www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate .
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Relief said it has deployed its local staff to stricken areas and is appealing for $2.5 million. To donate, go to http://lwr.org/donate/
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