Haikuman - Philippines Updates

[haikuman]

Gene, A-polly and grateful11,

,Just know your support was part of how we managed.
Lilian is already finally getting some sleep. Me I am answering
updated messages looking for cellular connections to the provinces
and reviewing Satellite Phones <> any suggestions ?

Lilian's cousin Rochelle dropped by today and Lilian sent some
pesos with her to buy food on the way to Lawaan and Beta-og.
There are a lot of people without food and water I have been told.

Just heard on Philippine TV the NBA has sent $250k which = p10,000,000.

Also The Philippine government has begun to regulate pricing for Food, Fuel
and other essentials. Holy Kama Sutra "Exploitation" is not fun.

700 generators have been sent to the damaged areas to help communities without power.

Japan, Germany, Malaysia and The World Food Bank are sending tons of supplies.

Other supplies and assistance being sent from around the world.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/no...ve-updates



Lilian's Village for those who missed it used to look like the photo above. She was advised by local police all homes were destroyed.


Rudie*(:>*

[Ombligo]

Stay strong Rudie and expect a roller coaster ride.

I've been through almost the same with my family follow Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The headlines are bringing all that back as the numbers are identical.

If the family is remote at all from the grid (ie no one important or wealthy lives next door), think about long term solution for power. It took months to get power to many areas after Mitch. A solar set up with marine batteries for storage or a wind generator are tried and true technologies. A standard generator is fast and easy but will cost a fortune in fuel - if you can find it. You may want to think about a distilling unit for water too. In the immediacy - a couple of Lifestraws may be handy.

Depending on the circumstances they face - a simple solar oven can be a great assist. They can be built from cardboard boxes and aluminum foil. Since the country is very near the equator, this would be particularly effective.

For those looking to assist - do NOT give to the American Red Cross, give directly to the International Red Cross. Following Mitch, the ARC pocketed millions because the donations did not specifically say it was for Mitch aide in Central America.

Even so there are smaller organizations that will get aide directly to the people on the ground.

Do Not send boxes of clothes, toys, water, etc... The shipping cost will be more than the donation, it will languish for weeks or months and eventually flood the used clothing market driving prices to nothing while destroying family businesses. If you can't resist cleaning out your closet, just selling your used clothes and send the cash. No one there needs your high heels or old ski jacket.

This is a been there/done that moment.

[DP]

I can't add much more to what everyone else has said. Just glad you and yours are OK and pray more good news comes your way...
"Catastrophe" barely covers what happened there and I will be donating what I can.
Thanx for the updates; I'm sure you are busy enough without taking the time to post here but we all appreciate it so do what you have to do and get back here when you can.

[mrlynn]

Here is a link to the Philippine Red Cross. I figure that's going to go right to the disaster, rather than going through the American Red Cross. The donation amounts are in Philippine pesos, which seems to be about 1 PHP = $.0235 US; so 5,000 PHP = $117.69.

http://ushare.redcross.org.ph

/Mr Lynn

[Speedy]

I'm so glad your good news came quickly!

[haikuman]

Speedy wrote:
I'm so glad your good news came quickly!

Thanks for your kind words and support Speedy *(:>*

I have also posted the yahoo currency converter for the Philippine peso.

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-conver...=PHP;amt=1

[vicrock]

Great news, Rudy! I know it must be a huge relief to know that everyone is safe!

[haikuman]

vicrock wrote:
Great news, Rudy! I know it must be a huge relief to know that everyone is safe!

Egggactly ~!~ We are going to get a good nights rest I think. Red wine from Chile was delivered,
and I steamed some Alumahan (Mackerel) in a nice fresh banana leaf and served it with brown rice.

Life is good again *(:>*

[Kate]

Rudie, what a relief!, I'm so happy for you and yours. That said the months ahead will be particularly difficult for everyone affected in any way by this devastation. Let us know what we can do to help.

Kate

[haikuman]

Thanks again for your concern, support and offer of help Kate:hail: