Haikuman - Philippines Updates

[TheCaber]

:agree:

[hal]

Glad to see that all are accounted for and losses are manageable.

I have to admit that I had to tune out the news after a couple of days. I don't watch TV news often, but I saw a NHK report where a man was interviewed and was horribly traumatized. He was staying in a makeshift shanty near where he used to live. The area was hit by 10' a storm surge and everyone had to scramble to get onto roofs. Everything was destroyed. He knew nothing about his friends and family and feared the worst, but was too weak to put out the herculean effort that would be required just to get started on a search.

I felt like bursting into tears. I know I would break under that kind of stress.

[A-Polly]

Wow, Rudie, these photos of personal places really bring it home to all of us. What a blessing that they survived through so much destruction! Thank you for sharing.

[haikuman]

Perhaps the aid is finally getting to more people I am not sure I could confirm this
at this time. I also found it interesting they are not naming the Barangay's they have
delivered aid to and the ones they have not delivered aid too.

I found this article rife with vagueness to be honest/imho

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/1...r-speeding



"E. Samar gets help

He also said Eastern Samar was getting much-needed help but admitted rehabilitation and rebuilding may take time.

Earlier, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone lamented that his province had ceased to exist after being battered by Yolanda.

Carandang, who was back in Tacloban City yesterday after visiting Guiuan in Eastern Samar, said the town was not hit by storm surges and that the real impact of Yolanda was most evident in the towns south of the provincial capital Borongan.

According to Carandang, the local government of Guiuan remained fully functional and was assisting the national government in relief efforts.

“Guiuan itself serves as a hub from which relief goods are sourced for affected towns in Eastern Samar,” Carandang said, noting that relief efforts in the area were well-organized and well-coordinated.

Carandang said relief and rescue teams were provided the necessary resources for their operations.

“Funds for these are provided by the national government, while the local government unit handles operations, and foreign groups and missions handle logistics. For example, the US Marines are serving as a logistical support contingent, while missions from France provide medical services,” Carandang said.

“Power, telecommunications and fuel scarcity are among the concerns confronted by Guiuan,” he said, adding that he would communicate with both telecommunications companies Smart and Globe to ensure their improved and uninterrupted service."

He said they opened a route – Catbalogan to Borongan – so that fuel and relief goods could be transported easily.

Of the 24 towns in Eastern Samar, nine remained largely inaccessible.

Update:

http://news.yahoo.com/aid-missions-boost...49557.html

Aid missions boost US troops' image, readiness

"ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (AP) — As soon as Navy pilot Matthew Stafford puts his helicopter down in the village of Borongan, he is rushed by dozens of local men who form a line to unload the supplies and water he has flown in from the mothership, the USS George Washington aircraft carrier. Children swarm him as he breaks out a box of sweets.

On the Philippine islands of Leyte and Samar that were shattered by Typhoon Haiyan, there is no doubt about it: the U.S. military has been a godsend. "It is awesome to see this," says one grateful villager. "They are saving us."

But while U.S. military support can be critical when disasters like Haiyan strike, staging massive humanitarian relief missions for allies in need isn't just about being a good neighbor. They can be a strategic and publicity goldmine for U.S. troops whose presence in Asia isn't always portrayed in such a favorable light — and a powerful warning to countries that aren't on board.

"These disasters are not unique only to the Philippines. It will send a signal to all of Southeast Asia, to Asia, that the U.S. is serious about its presence here," said Philippine political analyst Ramon Casiple. "It's easy to translate this capability for disaster handling into handling warfare. This is the new orientation of the task forces."

[JoeM]

Just getting to catch up on the posts here. Glad Lillian's family home survived and that they are safe. Watch yourself with your cervical spine and don't overdo it. You probably know how potentially dangerous a problem can develop from worsening injuries there. Stay well!

[blooz]

Thanks for the updates Rudie.
We said a prayer for the Philippines in church this morning and alked about making donations afterward.

[deckeda]

I also appreciate the updates, Rudie. It puts a human touch on a public tragedy that will have an impact beyond the shore ...

[haikuman]

Lilian will be writing a new update message very soon.
She spoke on the phone with her mother this morning she went
to Tacloban with Lilian's brothers. They rented a truck and were
trying to salvage some things from Nerissa's apartment.

There is still no cellular service or electricity in Lawaan & Beta-0g

There has been some looting issues with and by The NPA rebel group
in Eastern Samar, Lawaan apparently

Nerissa, Musashi and Bando are now staying in a small inexpensive
hotel close to us.

I will let Lilian share the most recent current events.
Rudie

Thanks to all of you for your continued kind words thoughts and prayers.
Most recently JoeM, blooz and deckada

[deckeda]

New Yorkers: a benefit concert

news item: http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/dav...-relief/#1

from David Byrne's email list:

About a week ago, on November 7th, Super Typhoon Yolanda (as Typhoon Haiyan is known in the Philippines) made landfall. It was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on record. Ever. The full extent of damage and the death toll have yet to be assessed, but it's unimaginably catastrophic. The city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte has been almost wiped off the face of the earth. No place could have withstood this storm.

This past spring and summer, a musical I had been working on for years called Here Lies Love ran at The Public Theater here in NY. It takes place in the Philippines, and it follows the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. The first song sung by Imelda begins with the words "When I was a young girl in Leyte." The show is about the resiliency of the Philippine people—that sentiment couldn't be more timely.

Upon hearing about this tragedy, the cast contacted me about doing a show to raise money for relief efforts. Most of our cast is Filipino, and all of us feel the same way. It's personal for all of us. We all dropped whatever we were doing and this concert version of the show will happen in one week—Monday, November 25th, 8PM, at Terminal 5 here in New York.

You can get tickets here. All proceeds will go to recovery efforts that Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières are doing in the Philippines.

We'll be doing a concert version of the show—this won't be the same immersive, interactive experience as the theatrical version. But we'll do EVERY song, in order, with the original cast and costumes—plus I’ll be helping out and singing as well. The show is wall-to-wall songs. If you didn't see or hear the production, now is your chance to hear it and at the same time to do something for the survivors in the Philippines. Wear comfortable shoes!

We've pulled this together incredibly quickly. Thanks, of course, to the cast and crew, The Public Theater, Bowery Presents (who have graciously donated this venue), Todomundo and The Philippine Embassy.

David Byrne