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Philippines:
Typhoon Durian
Hundreds
Dead, Thousands Evacuated as Fourth Typhoon Hits Philippines
in Four Months
Typhoon
Durian (local name Reming) made landfall in the Philippines
on Nov. 30, 2006. With sustained winds of 115 mph near the center and gusts of
up to 140 mph, Typhoon Durian, the fourth deadly typhoon to hit Philippines in
four months, unleashed floodwaters of 10 feet in some areas. Initial reports
indicate at least 400 people perished, over 400 people still missing, and
700,000 individuals rendered homeless. All told nearly 1 million people have
been affected. Heavy rains continue and are expected to cause further
landslides.
The
Philippines has been
severely affected by a series of typhoons over the past four months that have
caused extensive damage over a widespread geographical area including at least
20 provinces, of which five have been affected by more than one typhoon. The
storm wreaked havoc in Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Mindoro Oriental and
Occidental, parts of Camarines Norte and Sur, Marinduque, Batangas, Quezon and
Laguna. Fortunately, it diverted from its path and missed metro Manila by some
50 miles.
Initial
reports from Catanduanes and Mindoro
highlight severe damage to houses and boats affecting livelihoods as fishermen.
Large swaths of agricultural land were destroyed and water systems are badly
damaged in all affected cities and municipalities. The degree of contamination
of drinking water sources in more rural areas is yet unknown.
The
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued a
revised emergency appeal of over $7 million for relief in the Philippines.
This appeal addresses the damage caused by all four recent typhoons, and it is
currently funded at approximately 12%. Immediate needs are for financial
resources to procure food, drinking water, and medicines, and to deploy
specially trained Red Cross medical teams and social workers.
The
American Red Cross responds to international disasters in
coordination with International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement (Movement) partners, such as the Philippine National
Red Cross Society. Any American Red Cross response is made in
coordination with Movement partners and depends on the specific
needs of the situation.
The
American Red Cross is supporting the Movement’s response to
this crisis through financial and personnel resources. An
American Red Cross international response delegate, who deployed
to the Philippines in late October to serve as Operations
Coordinator for the global Red Cross/Red Crescent response to
the earlier typhoons, extended her stay to provide emergency
relief related to Typhoon Durian. The American Red Cross
is sending a second delegate to the Philippines
this week to serve on the Federation’s Field Assessment
Coordination Team (FACT). Additionally, the American Red
Cross has provided nearly $240,000 to date for typhoon relief in
the Philippines.
The
Philippines National Red Cross Society (PNRC) is established
under Philippines Law and mandated to act as the leading
humanitarian organization providing relief, health and welfare
assistance to the most vulnerable sector of the society. The
society and its branches have extensive knowledge in conducting
relief and rehabilitation programs in the wake of natural
disasters, which occur regularly in the Philippines.
You
can help those affected by countless crises around the
world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red
Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate
relief and long-term support through supplies, technical
assistance, and other support to help those in need.
Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to
your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red
Cross International Response Fund, P.O.
Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a
secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to
designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at
the time of your donation.
Magen David Adom (MDA)
The
American Red Cross welcomes and celebrates the admission
of Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestine Red Crescent
Society to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement. The inclusion of these two National Societies is a
significant step towards universality for the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement.
 
To
read more about this historic event, please click
here.
Middle
East Crisis 
Guided
by its Fundamental Principles – humanity, impartiality,
neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and
universality – the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement (Movement) brings emergency relief to victims of
disasters and conflicts and improves basic living conditions
of those in need.
To
learn more about the International Services of the Red Cross, click
here.
South Asia Disaster
The American Red Cross
responded immediately to the devastating series of earthquakes
and tsunamis by contacting the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies and is remaining in constant
contact with them to plan and offer assistance.
Click
here for more information
The members of the
International Red Cross movement including the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation), and
national societies like the American Red Cross or Mexican Red
Cross, work together toward common goals during times of
crisis or disaster. Programs are designed to meet
ever-changing humanitarian needs and improve the human
condition.
The American Red Cross is
currently working with our sister societies in Eastern Europe,
Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and in the former
Soviet Union. With the generous support of the American
people, the American Red Cross has developed into one of the
strongest and most respected humanitarian service
organizations in the world.
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