Help Victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Typhoon Ondoy Photos (Source: GmaNews.tv Facebook)

Everyone desires to live a peaceful and secure life, but when tragedy strikes, we are awaken to other realities. Typhoon Ondoy that hit the Philippines unfortunately serves as a wake-up call. We realized our nation's irresponsibility and inadequacy, and the government's lack of preparedness in this natural phenomenon.

Typhoon Ondoy has left but its aftermath is devastating. The rich and poor suffered equally in the floods, many areas were submerged under Ondoy’s onslaught. It is heart wrenching to see the damages that Typhoon Ondoy had caused, the people who lost their homes and the grieving families who lost their loved ones. Hundreds have died and more are still missing.

For the numerous victims of this tragedy, this is a nightmare that would be hard to forget. We empathize with their pain and with their loss. May God give them comfort in the midst of this tragedy.

Sadly, we cannot blame nature. May this serve as reminder for everyone to be responsible in taking good care of the environment.

The Filipino's "bayanihan spirit" shows as people help those in need. There are countless acts of bravery and compassion showed by ordinary people; even though there are also unsung heroes who have died after saving flood victims.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter became a hub for coordinating rescue and relief operations. The government and relief agencies are not alone in their fight to help the victims of this calamity.

Unfortunately, many families still need help.

There are a number of groups and foundations who are accepting donations and volunteers. I am also encouraging you to share and send in your donations. Here's a compiled list of relief organizations and foundations for Typhoon Ondoy victims that are accepting bank donations, credit card, PayPal, SMS and in-kind donations.

God remains to be our hope and He is our light amidst this tragedy.

The Wrath of Typhoon Ondoy

Metro Manila and other areas in the northern Philippines experienced the worst flood in recent history because of Tropical Storm Ondoy. The government has already declared Metro Manila and about two dozen provinces in Luzon region under state of calamity, said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

We experienced heavy and continuous rains since Friday night. State weather bureau reports that this 6-hour rainfall is an epic flood and breaks the 1967-record of 334 millimeters in a 24-hour period.

Water has reached chest-deep and as high as neck-deep in some areas, many residents were atop roofs to escape rising flood waters, some have evacuated from their homes and some houses are almost submerged in the waters. Gmanews.tv reports that as of 11:32 pm, at least 46 people were confirmed dead due to floods.

Hundreds of vehicles were stuck in traffic and passengers were stranded. To accommodate stranded commuters, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be operational for 24 hours.

Meralco had cut off electricity in some areas, including ours.

At this time of crisis, people realized how powerful and useful social networking sites can be. GMANews.TV has even opened a Facebook board for updates regarding the storm so people can post who needs help. Emergency information can be posted on GMANews.TV's Facebook page.

People at home had posted their updates, experiences in their Facebook, Multiply, Plurk, and Twitter sites. Definitely Filipino Facebook group posts news updates and people who needs to be rescued. Here's a list of numbers that people can contact for help:

Red Cross

Send full address of stranded friends/family to Senator Dick Gordon: +639178897898/ +63938444BOYS/ Landline 143

Donate to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text RED amount to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (SMART). The service only accepts the following amounts: 10, 25, 50 and 100 (pesos).

Visit Red Cross website for your online donations.

Metro Manila Development Authority: Landline 136

Coast Guard: +632-5276136

For Rubber Boat Requests: NCRPO +632-8383203/ +632-8383354

ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline
+632-4163641

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)
Emergency Numbers: +632-9125668/ +632-9111406/ +632-9122665 / +632-9115061
Help Hotlines: +63-2-7342118/ +63-2-7342120

Noynoy Aquino & Mar Roxas Disaster Relief
contact Jana Vicente: +639285205499
contact Clare Amador: +639285205499

Senator Manuel Villar Jr., Emergency Hotlines for Dump Trucks: +639174226800/ +639172414864/ +639276751981

Relief and rescue operations are still ongoing. Flood victims need help. Please let us all pray for the people who were greatly affected by this typhoon.