The best way to help Philippine residents affected by Typhoon Odette is to donate to existing drives and relief efforts, communicate much-needed information to victims, and stay updated yourself.
The Philippines is far from holiday mode as Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) continues to devastate victims in the Visayas and Mindanao a week before Christmas.
READ ALSO: #RisePH Unveils Strength in Kindness Through Its Successful Typhoon Relief Efforts
At least 137,044 people have been displaced inside evacuation centers, equivalent to 36,966 families, while 334,470 individuals have been preemptively evacuated, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) situational report on December 18.
At least four deaths have been confirmed, with another fatality being validated and another two reported injured or ill.
Odette intensified into a typhoon on December 15. The following day, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 was issued over Southern Leyte, the eastern portion of Bohol, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande.
It is the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, making landfall at least nine times thus far. Affected regions include Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.
Here’s what you need to know to help Typhoon Odette victims in the Philippines.
Donations
The following are available donation drives and relief efforts from established organizations and institutions, arranged by location.
Nationwide
Bacolod
Cebu
Leyte
Negros Occidental
Siargao
Surigao del Sur
Updates
For latest updates, follow credible and legitimate news sources based in the Philippines. These can easily be vetted by checking for a blue checkmark badge indicating that a news page is verified.
The onground situation is fast changing, so it’s best to get the most accurate and recent developments on Odette through state weather bureau Pagasa’s tropical cyclone bulletin page.
Citizens may also learn more about Odette’s human impact and government response on the NDRRMC’s situational report page.
Banner photo from Philippine Coast Guard on Facebook.
