Disaster Response Philippines Project #43297

Urgent Earthquake Relief in Central Philippines

by Asia America Initiative

Project Report | Jun 27, 2021
Despite pandemic, AAI continues to support families impacted by earthquakes

By Albert Santoli | Project Leader

Relief operation for earthquake victims

Asia America Initiative began this project in response to a series of devastating earthquakes before the COVID Pandemic created a new crisis and travel bans in 2019. In 2021, even during the travel bans and lockdowns, we have kept our humanitarian promises to assist earthquake and flood victims. As always, the main first response targets of AAI and our partners are very remote areas that have little or no resources. Families who lose their homes begin living in ramshackle shelters or tents along the side of roads. This seems safer than trying to find somewhere indoors as the earthquake aftershocks continue. However, this often became a very dangerous situation. There is no food, clean water, or shelter available. The families only have what they can carry with them in a desperate effort to escape.

AAI continues working with local leaders and our partner local non-profit organizations, police, and firefighters to deliver goods and services that are urgently needed. In rugged areas near Davao, Mindanao we have purchased minimal food and hygiene supplies for 500 families. And we provide books and toys for childrfen to heal their stress. At this time, we are targeting support for 2,000 additional families, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

The long-term impact of this program will prevent waterborne and infectious diseases which can cause death in children, women, and senior citizens. We are providing shelter materials to protect people from exposure to cold, and wet environments after being displaced from their homes. Diseases caused by mosquitoes, bad water, and rats become more likely after prolonged exposure to the element and no sanitation. AAI will concentrate on providing emergency aid and assistance to 10,000 people who face the twin threat of the pandemic and the earthquake damage.

Heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our kind donors. We look forward to your continued support.

Disaser relief to victims

Many children among the victims,toys help

Teaching hygiene to kids at relief center

Earthquake devastation in Davao del Sur

Food for homeless families

Caring for the elderly at relief center

Links:

web site

Permalink

Feb 22, 2021
Jan Earthquake Displaces Families in Mindanao Region

By Albert Santoli | Project Leader

Thousands lose homes after earthquake storm surge

In January 2021, an additional earthquake in the Mindanao region of the Philippines caused a storm surge on nearby islands causing the collapse of fishermen's homes at the shoreline. Not only were thousands of families displaced but their livelihood is now disrupted. In October 2020, a series of devastating earthquakes in the region caused the displacement of more than 200,000 people with additional earthquakes predicted. In the notorious Ring of Fire area of Southeast Asia this prediction has become our reality.

AAI is helping to provide food, clean water, temporary shelter, warm clothing, blankets, strong pails, hygiene materials, and basic health care items for these families. Asia America Initiative is working with local leaders and other non-profit organizations, police, and firefighters to deliver goods and services urgently needed.

The COVID19 pandemic has made operations difficult and personal and group safety is a primary concern for AAI and our local partner organizations and our volunteers. However, we have a firm commitment to continue provbing aid and comforting support during thiscomplex crisis period. Thanks to our kind donors, we continue to concentrate on providing emergency aid and assistance to thousands of the elderly, adults and childen in hard-to-reach areas.

Thank you for your support of this very important project. If you would like to make a contribution, please click through the link below. We are also included in GlobalGiving's Little by Little campaign, March 8-12, which will receive matching funds for your contribution. We'll send you correspondence the week before.

Urgent Earthquake Relief in Central Philippines

Wishing you peace,

Albert Santoli,

Director, Asia America Initiative

Families look for belongings after homes collapse

Families evacuate collapsing homes overnight

Children arriving to evacuation center

AAI and local partners provide relief to families

Families receive water, food, and hygiene supplies

The fire department helps deliver containers

AAI, partners and volunteer ensure a safe process

Water containers are essential during crisis

Finding new homes becomes the priority

Links:

Asia America Initiative website

Permalink

Oct 23, 2020
Displaced families receive relief care packages

By Albert Santoli | Project Leader

AAI volunteer giving care packages to families

Dear AAI Supporters,

Relief care packages are continuing to be delivered to families displaced in the Philippines. We are making our best effort, with the assistance of local service providers, to overcome logistic obstacles due to the COVID Pandemic. Volunteers in the field for Asia America Initiative work together to sort relief supplies sent from the US. "Care packages" are prepared and distributed to displaced families who are still living in makeshift homes and tents.

It's been a year since a series of devastating earthquakes erupted in the province of Mindanao in the Philippines, causing the displacement of more than 200,000 people. Their suffering has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, heavy rains during the typhoon season are adding to difficult road conditions.

"Fr. Luk, a parish priest in Paranaque, is very thankful for donations made to suffering families in the area," says Auntie Chitt, an AAI volunteer. "He did not expect that the boxes of food and clothing would be so huge. He kept repeating, "Thank you." He gives his heartfelt thanks to AAI for the great help. The local community is also grateful and they thank you for interceding."

Families that are homeless due to natural disasters need access to educational materials as well. AAI provides school supplies, books, and other learning materials when possible. AAI and partner volunteers coordinate the delivery to children unable to attend school. We are very proud of their efforts. Our worldwide donors are a bridge of concern for mothers, fathers, and children without a home. We all work together to make a big difference in their everyday life. We have ongoing relief support for 5,000 families, especially for those in hard to reach areas.

Thank you for helping us to serve those in the most serious need. We could not do this without you.

Albert Santoli,

Director, Asia America Initiative

AAI donations arrive into the Philippines

Volunteers meet at an AAI sponsored school library

Food donations are vital for proper nutrition

Books are important for students to read at home

Volunteers are our heroes

Care packages are ready for distribution!

Families receive food, hygiene supplies and books

Links:

Asia America Initiative website

Permalink

1 2 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.