Food and Shelter for Typhoon Mangkhut Survivors

In the Philippines, Asia America Initiative has taken the "next steps" to anticipate and provide emergency response to natural and man made disasters by expanding training of elementary, high school and college students. Starting in 2013, the Philippines has gained the reputation as one of the hardest hit areas in the world due to climate change and accelerated numbers of calamities within the Paific Ocean's  "Ring of Fire." We have learned from our experiences that prevention and training is the best life saving deterrent to overcome the damage and casualties caused by Nature's wrath.  We involved entire communities, including adults and children,to become capable and fearless volunteer first aid providers. 

Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and a continuous barrage of weather related storms and floods [such as Typhoon Mangkhut], earthquakes and volcanoes, have ravaged all regions of the Philippines.  The trainings, conducted by fire departments, Red Cross volunteers and school nurses have made communities more prepared when a disaster occurs, whether natural or man-made. This March and April of 2019, many schools participated in the training exercises. In addition, AAI has established a new relationship with the local Fire Departments to assist in logistics and training of the students andour GlobalGiving donor partners have helped us to purchase first aid materials, emergency water and food supplies to care for displaced communities. Everyone involved in the training program has been thrilled by the results.  

Our Child to Child Munting Nurse training program in Sulu Schools is blessed to have many partners from the Philippines, the United States and other parts of the world helping our community-based First Aid and Emergency Response efforts.  Trainers include Sulu Bureau of Fire Protection, the Jolo Emergency Response Network, Mindanao State University Nursing and Grad School, Notre Dame College Community Extension program, and Department of Education Child to Child activities. We are very grateful to Dr. Anissa for being our main partner at MSU. And to all governmental and non-governmental agencies who are involved. We have begun the Emergency Response program by providing much needed first aid supplies for emergency care and trauma counseling and toys for children who have experienced the fears related to survival and loss of loved ones. We hope to continue and build this program for all good people of Sulu and other areas of the Philippines who are under threat and in need.

In September, 2018, typhoon Mangkhut delivered destruction in the Philippines, killing an estimated 60 persons and more than 105,000 homeless. The main areas hit by the typhoon are the most productive farming lands in the Philippines were under water. The majority of our beneficiaries are children and the elderly. We conducted emergency relief services, providing food and water to thousands of families and continue to support schools in the communities affected. 

We have refused to surrender to the elements. Instead, we learned from Mangkhut and other tragics experiences to inspire and build a community of decicated and heroic first responders of all ages.  "We cannot put into words the gratitude we feel that people from around the world through AAI and their supporters such as GlobalGiving,"  says Dr. Anissa.  "We have strong faith that we are not abandoned, by God or by his angels who are embodied by donors from around the world who have put their sentiments into action.  You are all our angels.  We will aways remember and be grateful for your kindness and encouragement." 

Links:

• Asia America Initiative Website