How to Help Victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

As more information became available Monday about the loss of lives and devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, governments around the world pledged aid and assistance for survivors.

The Pentagon has dispatched an advance team of 90 marines and sailors, and U.S.A.I.D. has pledged emergency shelter, hygiene materials and 55 tons of food, the New York Times reported Nov. 11. The American Embassy in Manila has donated $100,000 for water and sanitation assistance.

Typhoon Haiyan swept across the central Philippines on Friday Nov. 8, with sustained winds reported at over 145 miles per hour and significantly stronger gusts, according to the Red Cross. Haiyan was the second category 5 typhoon to strike the Philippines this year.

The typhoon affected 4.3 million people across 36 provinces. Philippine Red Cross volunteers throughout the region are reporting significant damage and a growing death toll, while the full extent of the devastation continues to unfold. At least 1,200 evacuation centers were housing more than 330,000 people left homeless by the storm.

The American Red Cross deployed two disaster relief specialists Saturday to assist in assessment and relief efforts. Since communication was limited in the hardest-hit communities, the American Red Cross was planning to send telecommunication specialists and a satellite system.
Here are a few agencies accepting donations for relief efforts:

- The Philippine Red Cross is accepting donations and coordinating disaster relief on the ground in much of the central Philippines. The organization is posting updates on Facebook and Twitter.

- The World Food Program, which provides emergency food aid to families and children, is accepting donations online and through PayPal.

- The Philippine branch of Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund, reports that children affected by the typhoon need urgent access to drinkable water, medical supplies, food and shelter. It is accepting donations online.

If you're heading east tomorrow to the Coachella Valley, there's a fund drive for the International Red Cross 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Palm Springs Motors, 69-200 Highway 111.