A catastrophic storm, one of the strongest on record, has hit the Philippines.
December 23rdGovernment of Canada''s donation matching deadline
9.2 MillionPeople Affected in 41 Provinces
Photo courtesy of AFP PHOTO / Flickr
Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013. It is believed to be the most powerful storm ever to hit the country, and at least 9.2 million people have been affected in 41 provinces. Hundreds of casualties have been reported, and Philippine officials expect the death toll to reach 10,000 or more. Thousands were forced from their homes to seek shelter. Full communities have been destroyed due to the widespread damage, flooding and landslides. Power and communication is down in several provinces, and severe damage has been reported.
Canada is among the countries working to help the Philippines during this devastating time. The Government of Canada has announced up to $20 million in aid for the relief effort. They have also extended the deadline for matching donations to December 23, 2013.
The CanadaHelps Crisis Relief Centre is your go-to destination for finding registered Canadian Charities supporting the relief effort. You can donate to the charity / relief effort of your choice, and keep up-to-date on the latest news.
Below is a list of Canadian charities raising funds to assist with relief efforts.
Click on the charity and then click CONTINUE to donate.
Donate now to ensure your donation dollars do the most work: The Government of Canada will match donations made to registered charities providing relief until December 23rd, and PayPal is waiving their transaction fees on donations made through this site until December 9th. Learn more.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the tremendous generosity that Canadians have demonstrated in helping the Philippines recover from the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. The Prime Minister was pleased to announce today that individual Canadians contributed over $85 million in eligible donations that our Government is matching through its Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. As promised on November 10, 2013, the Government of Canada is fulfilling
November 27, 2013, OTTAWA – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, concluded a trip to the Philippines where he witnessed the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan first-hand. He also met with local government and United Nations officials, as well as with international and Canadian humanitarian organizations working to respond to needs in some of the hardest-hit regions of the
21 November 2013 – As food aid reached nearly 2.7 million survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the central Philippines earlier this month, the top United Nations emergency relief official warned today that millions of people left without homes will require substantial longer-term support. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Valerie Amos, on her second visit to the crisis area in a week, called on the international community
PayPal has generously agreed to waive their transaction fees on donations made through this site until December 9th. CanadaHelps will pass these cost-savings from PayPal directly to the charities you’ve chosen. If you’ve already donated, you can take comfort in knowing this applies retroactively to donations made to support Typhoon Haiyan relief as early as November 9th. To ensure your donation qualifies, complete your transaction
There are many charities providing aid to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. These are just some of the ways they are helping right now.* GlobalMedic (The David McAntony Gibson Foundation) GlobalMedic has expanded its operations and is now working in Cebu, Iloilo, and Tacloban. Cebu will be the core of GlobalMedic’s logistics for inbound humanitarian airfreight and sea freight. This team is tasked with installing
Toronto, Ontario 18 November 2013 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced significant additional support for emergency relief activities in the Philippines. He made the announcement during his visit to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish, where he met with members of Toronto’s Filipino-Canadian community to discuss Typhoon Haiyan and the government’s response to the crisis. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those
Montréal, Québec – 15 November 2013 The Government of Canada has taken decisive action to provide emergency relief to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. These measures include: Providing up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations for emergency relief activities; Providing an initial allocation of $30,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help launch relief operations; Creating a matching
November 11, 2013 – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today made the following announcement on the next steps Canada is taking to support the people of the Philippines as they respond to the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan: “Canada is deeply concerned by the impact of Typhoon Haiyan. The thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with those who have been affected by this devastating
November 10, 2013 – Ottawa – Canada is calling on Canadians to help support the people affected by the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan through a matching fund. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie. “Time and time again Canadians have demonstrated they are among the most compassionate and generous people in the world. Our Government
PM announces Government contribution to the Typhoon Haiyan relief fund for the Philippines
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the tremendous generosity that Canadians have demonstrated in helping the Philippines recover from the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan.
The Prime Minister was pleased to announce today that individual Canadians contributed over $85 million in eligible donations that our Government is matching through its Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund.
As promised on November 10, 2013, the Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to match every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities responding to the impact of this natural disaster, between November 9 and December 23, 2013.
Quick Facts
On November 10, 2013, Canada established the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund, through which every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians from November 9 to December 23, 2013 to registered Canadian charities would be matched by the Government of Canada.
Thousands of individual Canadians from across the country contributed to registered Canadian charitable organizations to provide assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Over $85 million of these contributions were eligible for matching under the Government’s Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. The end result will be more resources – through combined funding from the Government of Canada and Canadian charitable organizations – being provided to typhoon-affected people in the Philippines.
From the very beginning, Canada has played a leading role in the global response to the impact of the typhoon that hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013, by providing significant humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the people affected by the typhoon.
Canada has sent relief supplies like tents, blankets, water purification tablets, shelter kits, and other essential items from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s emergency stockpile.
With support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society deployed a medical team and field hospital to provide emergency health support in the Philippines.
Elements of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) were also deployed to support relief efforts by providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support, including addressing pressing needs on Panay Island. Canada’s current longer-term development assistance program in the Philippines supports initiatives focused on enhancing sustainable economic growth by improving the enabling environment for investment and building economic opportunities for the poor.
Quotes from Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“Our Government worked closely with the Filipino-Canadian community, humanitarian partners and the Government of the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan to identify priorities and quickly provide emergency assistance where it was needed most. The Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund was a success and our Government is proud to play a role in matching the generosity of Canadians.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“I am deeply proud of the way Canadians came together to help the people of the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. The remarkable support that Canadians provided both here at home and the very strong presence of both our DART team and humanitarian partners on the ground, especially on Panay Island, made us a global leader in helping address the impact of the crisis.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Minister Paradis Extends Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund
November 27, 2013, OTTAWA – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, concluded a trip to the Philippines where he witnessed the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan first-hand. He also met with local government and United Nations officials, as well as with international and Canadian humanitarian organizations working to respond to needs in some of the hardest-hit regions of the country.
The magnitude of the destruction across many regions of the Philippines is nearly impossible to comprehend,” said Minister Paradis. “I am truly proud to have witnessed the compassion and dedication shown by Canadian humanitarian workers who have travelled to the Philippines to help those in the worst of circumstances.”
Minister Paradis visited some of the hardest-hit areas of the country. In Ormoc, he toured the Canadian Red Cross field hospital, which is working closely with local hospital staff and other emergency health care providers to ensure that more than 100,000 people have access to a wide variety of essential health services, including surgery, medicine, maternal and child care, and outpatient services. The Minister also met with members of Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which has been deployed to Roxas City to contribute to relief efforts by providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support.
“From the onset of this tragedy, Canada has played a leadership role in providing humanitarian assistance where it is needed most,” added Minister Paradis. “As we approach Christmas, I encourage Canadians to keep donating to registered Canadian charities, and our government will match eligible donations, dollar-for-dollar, right up to December 23, 2013.”
While in the Philippines, Minister Paradis also met with local government and United Nations officials, as well as with Canadian non-governmental and international humanitarian organizations, to discuss the ongoing challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance on the ground. The typhoon and subsequent storm surges have severely damaged local infrastructure, including roads, ports, and airports, which is impeding access to many areas.
Photos and video of the Minister’s trip to the Philippines as well as of the Government of Canada’s humanitarian assistance and relief efforts are available at http://www.forcesimages.ca
UN emergency chief stresses need for long-term aid for Philippines typhoon victims
21 November 2013 – As food aid reached nearly 2.7 million survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the central Philippines earlier this month, the top United Nations emergency relief official warned today that millions of people left without homes will require substantial longer-term support.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Valerie Amos, on her second visit to the crisis area in a week, called on the international community to ensure that the homeless are provided with the means to rebuild their houses.
According to latest estimates Haiyan killed several thousand people and affected 13.25 million overall, including 5.4 million children, many of whom face serious protection, health and safety risks. Some 4.4 million were displaced and 2.5 million are in need of food aid. More than 387,000 people are staying in evacuation centres across the six affected regions.
PayPal has generously agreed to waive their transaction fees on donations made through this site until December 9th. CanadaHelps will pass these cost-savings from PayPal directly to the charities you’ve chosen. If you’ve already donated, you can take comfort in knowing this applies retroactively to donations made to support Typhoon Haiyan relief as early as November 9th.
To ensure your donation qualifies, complete your transaction by paying with PayPal. Combined with the Federal Government’s matching program, and our already low fee structure, you can be confident that more of your money will help people affected by this disaster.
Latest News from Charities Providing Relief
There are many charities providing aid to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. These are just some of the ways they are helping right now.*
GlobalMedic (The David McAntony Gibson Foundation)
GlobalMedic has expanded its operations and is now working in Cebu, Iloilo, and Tacloban. Cebu will be the core of GlobalMedic’s logistics for inbound humanitarian airfreight and sea freight. This team is tasked with installing water purification units, distributing water purification tablets, supporting medical clinics, delivering essential medicines, and completing quick intervention projects. Quick intervention projects are designed to spend funds procuring goods in the local economy, provide the immediate delivery of aid, debris clearance, and repairs to shelters and schools. The support team in Cebu is handling shipments of inbound humanitarian cargo and forwarding those shipments to support the Tacloban Operation. GlobalMedic‘s Cebu team will also support other operations through its forward operating bases.
…
GlobalMedic has mobilized and delivered the following assets to the Philippines:
– 5 million water purification tablets
– 12 water purification units
– $100,000 worth of essential medicines Read more
Canadian Medical Assessment Team (CMAT)
Image from CMAT
The CMAT Assessment travelled to the northern tip of Cebu island, which was in the direct path of Typhoon Yolanda, and was devastated late last week. The team spent the day assessing the infrastructure, trying to ascertain what level of assistance may be needed in the region.
Leaving Cebu, life appears to have continued on as normal. As anticipated though, there was a distinctive ‘line in the sand’, where the edge of the storm had its brunt. After this line, the destruction was immense. Trees were snapped in half, electrical and phone poles were toppled, roofs were completely blown off, and most thatched huts were flattened. That being said, the resiliency of the people was astounding. Read more.
Canadian Red Cross
Staff and volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross have been active with search and rescue and have been doing assessments since the storm hit. Delivery of immediate relief continues alongside efforts to rescue people who are trapped. Items being mobilized include food, blankets, jerry cans, hygiene kits and sleeping mats.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to deal with all aspects of the relief operation. The Canadian Red Cross, with support from both the Norwegian Red Cross and Hong Kong Red Cross, is deploying its Basic Health Care (BHC) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to the Philippines. This field hospital can provide outpatient clinic services, and deliver psycho-social support and community health services. It can serve a community of 30,000, including care for 20 temporary inpatients, and referral services to other health facilities. The role of the field hospital is to support the local health authorities and to fill the short-term gaps in health services created by the typhoon. Read more.
Unicef Canada
UNICEF and the Tacloban City Department of Social Welfare and Development will open the first ‘child-friendly’ space on Wednesday in Tacloban City, in collaboration with Save the Children. The space is one of dozens planned for the region.
“Survival means not only that we address children’s health, education and psychological well-being, but that we make sure their safety is given top priority,” said UNICEF Representative in the Philippines, Tomoo Hozumi. “These spaces – the first of many we plan to establish – provide a place for children to begin the process of recovering from the loss of loved ones and the total upheaval in their lives, and help reduce the risks of trafficking, exploitation and other harm.”
UNICEF is providing tents, recreation kits and specialised supplies for early childhood development, with the local government department supplying day-care workers, soon to be supplemented with social workers, animators and youth volunteers. Read more.
World Vision
In the wake of one of the most powerful typhoons to ever hit land, World Vision has launched a massive response. We are helping victims by providing life-saving essentials like food, clean water and much more. Read more, and watch a video on aid distribution here.
Humanitarian Coalition (Plan, Save the Children, Oxfam, Care)
Despite severely damaged roads and coastal areas, widespread power outages, and a heavily burdened communications infrastructure, emergency supplies and life-saving health services are now reaching a growing number of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. In the first few days following the disaster, our member agencies provided aid to more than 15,000 people in the worst hit areas of Tacloban and East Samar. Having scaled up their programs, they are aiming to assist many more thousands of people in the days and weeks to come. Read more.
Oxfam Canada
Oxfam has 4 teams in the affected areas (Leyte and Samar) providing household level water purification. It has also sent emergency water supplies to Tacloban to bring the assistance quickly despite logistical challenges.
Oxfam is delivering sanitation kits to 10,000 people this week alone. The agency works with local leaders in communities to ensure orderly distributions of goods, particularly to women, the elderly and disabled individuals.
Each of Oxfam’s hygiene kits contains 3.5 kilos of soap, a soap dish, two towels and two family size packages of dentonic powder, a substitute for toothpaste. The hygiene kit is completed with some ORS sachets to avoid dehydration and separate detergents to wash clothes and dishes.
In its first phase, Oxfam aims to support 20,000 families – with safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. A cargo from the United Kingdom carrying 16 tons of aid worth US$ 200,000, including water and sanitation equipment, is arriving into the country on Saturday and will be immediately taken to affected areas. Read more.
Shelter Box Canada
Photo from Shelter Box Canada: Jeremiah, his daughter Jingle Heart and their family have moved into a ShelterBox disaster relief tent.
The most vulnerable families on Bantayan Island are starting to move into ShelterBox tents thanks to the generosity and support of ShelterBox donors across the globe. Thanks to your donations the first batch of tents cleared from Cebu City airport were transported yesterday and distributed immediately upon arrival. More tents are due to arrive today and tomorrow as aid is transported away from the airport. Read more.
Habitat for Humanity
Based on the initial assessment, Habitat for Humanity Philippines is in the works of extending help to 30,000 families who need shelter repair kits to re-build their damaged houses. So far, our teams are deployed in different areas now providing Emergency Shelter Kits (ESKs) to those who most need it. … Help the affected families in the said provinces by sending in your donations that can help them rebuild their homes. Habitat for Humanity Philippines Shelter Repair Kits (SRK) costs Php15,000, which is good for one family. This amount can help families repair even heavily damaged houses. We are also targeting tosend out 50,000 Clean-up Kits (Php2,000 each kit) and 10,000 Core Houses (Php120,000 each unit). Read more.
Humanity First
Humanity First has sent a local team to affected areas for initial assessment and to provide assistance to displaced individuals with essential supplies. Read more.
Rose Charities
Rose Charities Dr Collin Yong, currently carrying out medical relief along the north coast of Negros Island. Missions carried out to Cadiz City as well as some of the small isolated islands which to date have had almost no relief. Images above include Lakawon Island. Read more.
United Church
United Church partners in the Philippines are responding. They are present where needs are greatest, and able to provide immediate relief as well as support for reconstruction. We are there with partners as they reach out in compassion and service. Read more.
*These are excerpts from the charities’ websites where updates are available.
PM HARPER ANNOUNCES FURTHER CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Toronto, Ontario
18 November 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced significant additional support for emergency relief activities in the Philippines. He made the announcement during his visit to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish, where he met with members of Toronto’s Filipino-Canadian community to discuss Typhoon Haiyan and the government’s response to the crisis.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in the Philippines who have been devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Filipino-Canadian families who have loved ones that have been affected by this tragic natural disaster,” said the Prime Minister. “Our Government has taken decisive action to address the ravages of the typhoon by working closely with the Filipino-Canadian community, relief agencies and the Government of the Philippines to provide ongoing support to those who need it most. I am very pleased to announce that our Government will commit an additional $15 million towards emergency relief activities that should bring further comfort to the victims of this catastrophe. This brings the Government of Canada’s commitment to date to more than $20 million.”
Canada is responding to this disaster in coordination with the Government of the Philippines and Canada’s humanitarian partners, such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations, to ensure that humanitarian support meets the needs of the people affected by the typhoon. The additional $15 million announced today will be disbursed to a range of humanitarian relief efforts based on appeals from these partners, who have the expertise and capacity to deliver assistance on the ground.
The Prime Minister commended Rev. Fr. Ben Ebcas Jr. of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish for his leadership in Toronto following the typhoon. Father Ebcas opened the doors of his Parish for prayer after hours and has started collecting donations to send to the Philippines.
The Government of Canada has taken decisive action to provide emergency relief to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. These measures include:
Providing up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations for emergency relief activities;
Providing an initial allocation of $30,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help launch relief operations;
Creating a matching fund by which the government will contribute a dollar for each eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities until December 9, 2013;
Assisting with the deployment of a Canadian Red Cross 12-person medical team and field hospital to provide emergency health support in the Philippines;
Sending the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team to Manila to determine where Canada’s help is most needed; and,
Deploying elements of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to support Government of Canada relief efforts in the region by providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support. The DART will address the pressing needs in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz.
In addition, Canada will be prioritizing the processing of Filipino applications on request from those who are significantly and personally affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Requests from Filipino citizens who are temporarily in Canada and wish to extend their stay will be assessed in a compassionate and flexible manner. Canadians without travel documents as a result of the typhoon will have their applications expedited by the Canadian Embassy in Manila.
Prime Minister Harper also spoke with Benigno Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, on November 11 to extend his heartfelt condolences to the people of the Philippines, and to offer support to the Government of the Philippines in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
Baird Statement on Canadian Response to Typhoon Haiyan
November 11, 2013 – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today made the following announcement on the next steps Canada is taking to support the people of the Philippines as they respond to the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan:
“Canada is deeply concerned by the impact of Typhoon Haiyan. The thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with those who have been affected by this devastating storm. The size and scope is unprecedented.
“Yesterday Canada announced that on top of the $5-million contribution announced by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, the government would match dollar for dollar the contributions made by Canadians.
“We also announced that Canada is deploying the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (ISST), which is due to land in the Philippines later tonight. This team is deployed ahead of Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team to assess the needs on the ground.
“Today Prime Minister Stephen Harper directed the deployment of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the region. We are working to ensure that our assets and personnel are nearby and ready to assist on a moment’s notice.
“In the next few hours, a C-17 aircraft will deploy from Trenton, Ontario, as part of an advance component of DART.
“As Prime Minister Harper said today in his discussion with Benigno Aquino, the President of the Philippines, Canada stands ready to support the Philippines in responding to this disaster. This is a message I will relay to my counterpart later this evening when we speak.
“It is clear that the devastation is real, although the extent of the destruction has yet to be fully discovered. Canada continues to work with international humanitarian partners, and its allies to determine what is required to meet the urgent needs of the Filipino people.
“Nine and a half million people have been affected, in nine regions across the Philippines. More than 600,000 people are displaced—about three quarters of them inside evacuation centres. Sadly, the death toll continues to rise. Shelter, food, water and other essential support are needed.
“We again appeal to all Canadians to be generous and donate. As noted, our government will match each contribution dollar for dollar.
Canada launches matching fund to help those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan
November 10, 2013 – Ottawa – Canada is calling on Canadians to help support the people affected by the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan through a matching fund. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.
“Time and time again Canadians have demonstrated they are among the most compassionate and generous people in the world. Our Government is making sure their contributions can do more to ease pain and suffering,” said Minister Paradis. “Through this fund, for every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the crisis in the Philippines the government will donate an additional dollar – effectively doubling their contribution.”
Typhoon Haiyan has caused widespread devastation in the Philippines affecting an estimated 9.5 million people. Over 615,000 people are currently displaced and well over 1,000 people have died according to the Philippine Red Cross. The numbers are expected to increase as more affected areas become accessible. The people of the Philippines and other affected countries by this storm are in dire need of clean water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, food, medicines and shelter.
Canada is also deploying the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team, to assess needs on ground and identify potential response options, which could include the Disaster Assistance Response Team.
“On November 9, 2013, I announced up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations this is in addition to the Matching Fund that I am announcing today. This storm has had a devastating impact on the people of the Philippines, and sadly, it is not yet over. In the coming days, we will continue to monitor the situation, we will work with our partners to meet humanitarian needs and we will stand ready to provide further assistance if required, added the Minister.
The announcement made on November 9 was in addition to the initial allocation of $30,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross on Friday, November 8 to help launch relief operations and meet the needs of those affected by this crisis. Emergency relief activities will include the provision of emergency shelter, food, water, livelihood support, and other essential services.
