Typhoon Odette, classified as a wind tropical cyclone signal no. 5, was the strongest typhoon to hit this year—barreling through seven regions in the country, including the Caraga region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Northern Mindanao. The typhoon also made nine landfalls in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Bohol, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Negros Oriental, and Palawan.
With over 332,000 residents affected and evacuating, many of them have lost their homes and communities. In case you’re looking to help, stylist Pam Quinones has put together a helpful compilation of people driving relief efforts for various areas affected by the typhoon.
“If you’ve been here for a while you know that I’m from Mindanao,” she wrote on Instagram. “Our city was spared, and my family is safe. But many homes and businesses of friends and their families in Cebu, Siargao, Bohol and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao have not been lucky.”
“My best friend is from Cebu, and I’ve been getting first-hand info and updates from her. And quite frankly, I’m at a loss for words seeing images of her wrecked home that has welcomed us a few times we visited her family,” she added on social media.
“I wish I could do more to help. And I know that we all do. So I gathered a few channels where we can send help through financial or in-kind donations.”
Looking to help those affected by the typhoon? Here’s a list of relief efforts across the Vis-Min regions.
Courage Cebu
Led by friends Divine Lee and Charina Tan, Courage Cebu is accepting donations for Cebuanos affected by typhoon Odette. Courage Cebu began during the pandemic as a volunteer initiative to raise funds for PPEs, vitamins, and other essentials for frontliners and those affected by COVID-19.
Landers
Waves for Water
Waves for Water Philippines is accepting donations to help distribute clean water systems, which have a capacity of over 3 million liters, to affected areas under typhoon Odette. The organization has just sent 100 water systems to Siargao and are soon deploying water filtration systems to Bohol and Cebu.
Lokal Lab
NGO Lokal Lab, which collaborates with local communities based in Siargao, has been providing play-by-play updates on the situation in Siargao and the condition of those stranded on the island—as locals and tourists are unable to reach their loved ones through phone. The group also works to distribute tents, water, food, medicines, and other essentials to those affected by the typhoon across the island.
For the Future
Youth organization For the Future has teamed up with AKO and the Philippine Navy to send relief goods and building materials such as nails, hammers, saws, electric pipes, plywood, solar lights, switches, and outlets.
Fundraising for Bohol
Jewelry designer and “new Boholano resident” Janina Dizon has arranged a fundraiser for Bohol. Any amount is welcome and she will match all total donations by December 26. You may inquire about bank details by sending her a message.
READ: Want to help out in relief ops for typhoon Odette? The OVP is accepting donations
