UPDATE ON THE PHILIPPINES

Our team repacking relief goods

Our deepest thanks and appreciation to all donors who have been sending in their donation to our WFWP USA Relief Fund for the Philippines!

We are happy to give you an update on things as Mrs. Irmgard Baynes, our book keeper had a chance to directly communicate with Mrs. Merley Barlaan, who is on the ground in the Philippines and our contact person for the WFWP account.

Also on Thursday, December 5, 2013 WFWP USA sent $5,000 in donations to the Philippine Red Cross. As we have the opportunity to track more directly as to where the funds are going and are being used, we decided to send all WFWP donations from now on to the WFWP account in the Philippines.

Here is a brief summary of the answers Merley gave to Irmgard's questions:"

The donations we received from WFWP USA were used to support 500 families. We gave them rice, canned goods, noodles, candles and matches, mosquito repellent.

We are so grateful for WFWP USA's tremendous help! People really felt moved by our team's presence and the heart of giving. It gave them hope. It even opens many doors and bridges of new relationship and friendships with people in the community and other organizations.

With regards to the Red Cross International or Red Cross Philippines, I noticed that both organizations are overflowing with food and clothing donations pouring in from all over the world. They are sent to some of the disaster areas, while others are still hard to reach. But the priority need of people is housing - materials to rebuild their houses. These needs are too big for our budget to cover. For example, one village of 16,000 houses was entirely destroyed. Each house would cost 1,000 dollars minimum to rebuild, talking only about a small but decent house.

I recommend sending donations to RED Cross Philippines. So you can declare it as one of your project activities. If you send it to other organizations it would take a very long process to finally get the money or materials to the victims. Many of the donations are channeled through NGOs because the process of these big organizations takes a very long time.

The Mayor of one town gave permission for us to adopt one village. He asked if we can provide housing for the people. In light of so much destruction at one time, it is too overwhelming for the leaders of the town. So they need our help. Please email or talk to our president either directly or via Joy Theriot from FICA.

I am currently organizing a charity tour for European and American members of WFWP and FICA to come to the Philippines for 2 weeks. So maybe WFWP USA can look into the possibility of coming to Philippines as well.

Irmgard, we are chaotic here preparing for the seminar tomorrow. I will get back to you soon.

If you haven't taken the opportunity to donate yet and support our efforts in the Philippines, you may do so here.