Typhoon Ondoy Overseas Relief Efforts: Where to Send Your Donations

* updated 3:34 pm Oct 1 2009. This page will be updated as other agencies provide details on how to contribute to rescue and clean-up efforts.*

Last Saturday Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) dumped a month's worth of rain in just a single day, the worst ever since 1967. For context, Hurricane Katrina dumped over an inch of rainfall in Louisiana for 3 hours and another 0.5 inches per hour over the next 5 hours on August 29, 2005. Ondoy dumped an average of 2.24 inches per hour for six hours. The typhoon hit Manila, flooding about 80 per cent of the region that accounts for almost half of the country’s gross domestic product. The government has declared a state of calamity in 27 provinces and requested international humanitarian assistance.

According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the number of deaths is recorded at 240, with 37 missing and 5 reported injured. Reports from NDCC say 1,872,036 persons have been affected by the storm and subsequent flooding, with up to 375,000 people located in 607 Evacuation Centers. As at 29 Sept, according to the NDCC the total number of damaged houses is at 3272, although this number is expected to rise dramatically.

For our friends outside of the Philippines, it is more expensive (and time-consuming) to send relief goods. Money sent to the proper channels will go a longer way to help those in need. Hold bake sales and garage sales or stage benefits and send the proceeds to the Philippines.

There have been numerous reports of unscrupulous individuals/groups taking advantage of this calamity.  I recommend that you send donations directly to the relief organizations. Before you donate your precious earned money or savings, be sure that those accounts are legitimate   Here are some verified links to NGOs and aid agencies:

GLOBAL
1. United Nations World Food Programme (US tax deductible): https://www.wfp.org/donate/ondoy
Accepts VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Electron, Maestro, Solo

2. Save the Children: *recommended*
Save the Children is working closely with local governments, partners and children's organizations to meet the immediate needs of affected families. It is providing blankets, hygiene items, children's clothing and other items to affected families; initiating livelihoods programs so that families may begin to earn the money needed to rebuild their lives; and conducting rapid needs assessments in the cities of Paranaque, Pasay, Taguig, Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas and Manila.
Accepts VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover @ https://secure.savethechildren.org/01/web_e_phil_flood
Accepts Paypal, Google Checkout, Amazon @ http://www.savethechildren.org/get-involved/fundraising-challenges/alt-ways-to-give-phil-flood.html

2.The Ayala Foundation USA *recommended* is a one-stop portal for Pinoys based abroad who are looking to donate money to social causes in the Philippines. Donations coursed through Ayala Foundation USA are also tax deductible (only for those based in the US). To those wanting to donate to Typhoon Ondoy Relief Efforts, click on the link below and search for "AF-USA Typhoon Relief Fund" in the box marked "Donations For." Note: you may also donate to the Red Cross, Caritas Manila and Gawad Kalinga in the same portal.

http://af-usa.org/donate_now_form.asp

3.  Tanging Yaman Foundation, in consortium with the Philippine Jesuit Province, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and Ateneo de Manila University is accepting donations from the USA/Canada, UAE, Europe & Asia.  Go to http://www.tangingyaman.org/tyf-ondoy.pdf for more information.

4. ABS CBN Foundation's SAGIP KAPAMILYA in North America is accepting donations for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Log onto http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/ and go to the donate page. In the "comments" or "instructions to the seller" box, please write, "Sagip - Ondoy" to indicate that your donation is for the typhoon victims.

5. Kapuso Foundation: Operations Bayanihan and Kapuso School Rehabilitation take place when there is need for them since both are natural and man-made adversity-based projects. Click on

http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate

PHILIPPINES
1. Philippine National Red Cross. Go to http://www.redcross.org.ph for instruction on how to donate via credit card & Paypal.
*latest update* Xoom.com has offered fee-free money transfers to assist the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) with Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts. Donors can visit www.xoom.com/philippines and enter the coupon code “HELPONDOY” to make a fee-free money transfer donation to the Philippine National Red Cross. This special coupon code is valid until Friday, October 9, 2009. Go to https://www.xoom.com/sendmoneynow/news/xoom-offers-fee-free-money-transfer-donations-to-help-with-typhoon-ondoy-relief-efforts-09282009 for more details

USA

1. UNICEF USA. *recommended*
Give today and an anonymous donor will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 -- doubling your support for UNICEF's lifesaving efforts in the Philippines.

2. BPI is temporarily eliminating all remittance transfer fees for customers sending money using ExpressSend® service to the Philippines for typhoon Ondoy victims from 9/29 to 10/12. If originated from a Wells Fardo account, the free will be waived and the recipients can claim their funds at more than 800 branches and 1,500 plus ATMs throughout the Philippines.

3. From PNB: FREE OF CHARGES AND FEES in ALL OF PNB branches across the US for all remittances send to KAPUSO FOUNDATION for TYPHOON ONDOY.

SINGAPORE

1. PNB, LBC and i-Remit are waiving remittance fees for donations to the Philippine National Red Cross, Gawad Kalinga, DSWD and others. All offices are located in Lucky Plaza.

2. *new* Singapore National Red Cross (SRC) : The Singapore Red Cross Society has calling on all members of the public to make donations towards SRC's Philippines Tropical Storm appeal. All donations made will be earmarked specifically for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for survivors of the Philippines Tropical Storm. The various modes of donations towards the Philippines Tropical Storm may be found at http://www.redcross.org.sg/Update-on-the-Philippines-Tropical-Storm.phtml. Note: Donations can also be made via Internet Banking through local banks DBS, OCBC, and UOB or using Maybank debit/credit cards.

4. World Vision Philippines aims to reach 100,000 people in flood-hit Manila. For Singapore-based individuals or corporations who would like to help, please visit http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_ketsana09.php

United Kingdom

1.  Oxfam UK has sent an aid team focusing on public health and food, especially for women and girls who are disproportionately affected by disasters such as this. Donate to the emergency response at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/philippines-floods/index.php

AUSTRALIA
1.  The Australian Red Cross who is now officially accepting donations to Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) through the following methods:
By credit card: http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_emergencyrelief_typhoon-ketsana.htm

By cheque: made payable to Australian Red Cross Typhoon Ketsana and mailed to Supporter Services Centre, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne VIC 8060.

2.  Caritas Australia

You can support the Caritas Australia Philippines Humanitarian Crisis Appeal by calling 1800 024 413 or make a donation at http://www.caritas.org.au/source/Donation.

3. World Vision Australia is accepting donations at https://trans.worldvision.com.au/GeneralDonations/Donate.aspx

GERMANY
1.  Caritas Germany is accepting donations at http://www.caritas.de/

If you would like to find other means by which you can help, Google and a hard working group of volunteers are maintaining an excellent site where you can ascertain the kind of help needed, get donation info, mapped info etc. Go to http://www.google.com/landing/typhoon-ondoy.html for more info.

Ako ay kapitbahay
Kapitbahay n'yo
Laging handang tumulong sa inyo.
Kilala n'yo ako
Kilala n'yo ako
Ako'y isa sa kapitbahay
Kapitbahay ninyo. -- Batibot