Donations needed for Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda for the Philippines

It is really a sad and heartbreaking news.. Last Nov. 8, Friday, our country was hit by such a strong typhoon leaving more than 10,000 people dead, missing, injured, sick, homeless, starving.. So many countries and people all over the world, not only our countrymen, have pledged and sent their aid in forms of rescue teams and medical people, volunteers, financial aid, relief goods and a lot more. 

We all pray and wish that all these help will really reach the people in need and not just go to corrupt people. 

Here in Oman, Filipino people and communities are also doing their part to send aids back home, here are some way which you can help if you're here in Oman and would like to donate cash, cheque and in kind. I would say that so far in my research, these are what I would suggest and even for those based in the Philippines. 

OPTION 1:

For donations of items, you may also bring it to Marissa's Zumba gym (Al Muneif Sports Center, Ground floor), located in the service road along Al Khuwair highway, near Majan House and Al Meera supermarket, same road where TGIF and Bank Muscat buildings are. This building is the same building where you can find the Baskin Robbins and Tunes stores. For more inquiries on what time and days you can drop off the items, please contact Ms. Marissa herself - 9902 0080. She lived and studied in these areas greatly affected by the typhoon so that's why she really wants to make sure that items will surely reach the people in Samar and Leyte. 

Whatever items that Ms. Marissa will be able to gather will be sent free courtesy of TRICO shipping, and boxes will be dropped off to The 700 Club Asia (a Christian network/channel which I also love to watch and surely will support), so it was really easy for me to decide where I would like to donate the items I am able to collect. 

For more info on this network, you can check their FB page: The 700 Club Asia

OPTION 2:

Our local church, PCO in Oman (in Ghala and in Ruwi) will surely be donating cash as well thru the Missions Team, so for me and my church friends, we will surely be giving our cash donations thru the church. If you want to do so and will be attending at the PCO, you can put the cash/cheque donation in an envelope and write the purpose if its for the Philippines typhoon victims. I got in touch with the Missions Team head and has informed me that she has received requests to support the Philippines. 

OPTION 3:

Tentatively, donations in kind as per the above picture will be accepted until end of November, while cash donations will be accepted until 13th December during the concert that the FILCOSOC is trying to put up - HOLD ON TOGETHER: A concert for a cause at the Al Bahja Hall, The Jungle Restaurant in Qurum Park, next to Marahland. 

OPTION 4:

 For donations of items, you may also drop them at the Philippine School in Muscat, near ABA and Egyptian School in Al Khuwair. 

OPTION 5:

You can also donate via Don Moen's page (popular Christian Praise and worship singer who's currently in the Philippines now for a concert)

Please click on the link: http://www.donmoenandfriends.org/help/

OPTION 6:

FEBC Philippines is a local Christian broadcasting radio which shares the word of God and which we also tune into.

Donations to FEBC Philippines, especially for the typhoon Yolanda victims, here are our bank accounts:

ACCOUNT NAME: FAR EAST BROADCASTING COMPANY

BPI Julia Vargas Branch: Current Account Number 2431-0093-93

BDO Pasig-Maralco Avenue Branch: Current Account Number 004150366783

After you’ve made the donation, kindly inform us about your gift. So we’d know whether it is for the disaster victims or for the broadcasts of FEBC Philippines.

Our cell phone numbers are: 0947-333-5605, 0927-778-6909 or 0932-483-3233. Office phone number is (632) 650-0859.

For more info, you can view their FB page: FEBC Radio

OPTION 7:

Sagip Kapamilya Telethon is a part of ABS-CBN and accepts donations in cash or in kind. 

For more info, go to this link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/tulongPH

OPTION 8:

Even a group of mommies in the Philippines are doing their part, just thinking if those children were their own, it surely breaks their heart. 

OPTION 9: 

Ang GMA Kapuso Foundation ay magsasagawa ng malawakang Operation Bayanihan (relief operation) upang damayan ang mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng Super Typhoon Yolanda. Kailangan po ang mga sumusunod: 
BIGAS 
NOODLES 
BOTTLED WATER 
DAMIT 
GAMOT 
KUMOT 
BANIG 
SABONG PANLIGO AT PANLABA 
TOOTHBRUSH AT TOOTHPASTE 
BAGONG UNDERWEAR 
TUWALYA 
TSINELAS 

Maaari pong dalhin ang inyong mga donasyon sa mga sumusunod na drop-off centers: 

GMA Kapuso Foundation 
2nd Floor Kapuso Center, GMA Network Drive 
corner Samar Streets, Diliman, Quezon City 
Tel. no. 928-4299/ 928-9351 

GMA Kapuso Foundation Warehouse 
# 366 GMA Compound 
Tandang Sora Avenue 
Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City 
Tel. no. 931-7013 

Para sa cash donation, maaari po ninyong ideposito sa anumang branch ng METROBANK, UCPB, PNB at CEBUANA LHUILLIER. Wala pong service fee na ibabawas sa inyong mga donasyon at tax deductible po ang inyong mga donasyon. 

Maraming salamat, mga Kapuso. 

OPTION 10:

Philippine Red Cross of course is also helping the typhoon victims. Do your part to help and save lives. 

Here's a list of what to give and not to give as per the Philippine Red Cross:

1. Cash is better - It is better to give cash than small amounts of relief goods. One hundred to 200 pieces of canned goods are a small amount. What the victims need are truckloads of sardines, rice and ready to eat food. Also, it is harder to sort goods that are of different kinds.

There is also another reason why cash is better. "If we buy items in bulk, it is cheaper," Pang said.

She said the cash can also be used for cash-for-work programs or cash grants in typhoon-hit areas. "We empower people to decide on what they want to buy," she said.

2. Give clothes with "integrity." - According to Pang, the Red Cross only gives clothes that are suitable for the Philippine climate. Do not give clothes that are too thick. Also, do not give clothes that are too sexy - something you cannot wear in an evacuation center.

Also, do not give clothes that are too dilapidated and can't be used anymore.

"When we give, dapat may integrity din so that when they wear it, they feel good," Pang said.

3. Don't give cosmetic soap - Typhoon victims need anti-bacterial soap, not cosmetic soap. They also need anti-dandruff shampoo. Pang said the relief goods given to typhoon victims must be high quality. The Philippine Red Cross usually packs items for a family of 5. This means soap, 5 toothbrushes, etc.

4. Don't give noodles - "For the first 3 days, ang pinakakailangan ay food and water. It has to be ready to eat dahil wala silang pang-luto," Pang said.

"Noodles hindi advisable dahil pakukuluan unless there is water, pero kung wala - rice and ulam sapat yun."

Pang said canned goods should be in easy open cans because the victims have no can openers. She said the Red Cross sometimes does not give utensils because it just adds to the garbage.

The Philippine Red Cross hotlines are 143, +632 527-0000, 09324995241 and 09175261957.