Typhoon Haiyan, Help the Relief Effort

Typhoon Haiyan, Help the Relief Effort

Typhoon Haiyan, Help the Relief Effort
[img courtesy of AFP 2013/ Noel Celis]
On Friday, Super Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda slammed into the central islands of the Philippines shredding a path of destruction as it whipped its way through the country.

Packing winds topping 313 KPH (195 MPH), Haiyan is the one of strongest cyclones to ever make landfall.  The province of Leyte and the islands’ largest city, Tacloban, bore the full force of the record setting winds.

Buildings were destroyed, trees were toppled, ships ran aground and sadly many lives were lost. Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria told reporters that the initial government estimates have the death toll close to 10,000 people in the province of Leyte alone.

The gambling community has been lucky, the storm passed through the capital region without any adverse affects on the operations of the companies that make Manila their home.

While the operations have been spared, we all know someone who has a personal connection with this tragedy. Be it an employee, a co-worker or friends, we all know someone whose family has been directly affected by the storm. There are estimates that 9 million people, including 4 million children have been affected or displaced by the storm.

Typhoon Haiyan, Help the Relief Effort
[img courtesy of Eric Castro – Reuters]
It will be some time before the full effects of this incredibly destructive storm are realized. Currently, the Philippine government is working hard to bring water and food to the people and to restore power and communications to the islands but the government doesn’t have the resources to handle such a massive project on it’s own.

In times of crisis, the gambling industry has been very generous when it comes to donating to charity and relief efforts. We saw it after the earthquake in Haiti and after the massive monsoons that left 50% of the Philippines capital region flooded a year ago.

We’re calling on the gambling industry to once again lend their support to the country that is the hub of the Asian online gambling industry. It’s time that we come together and give what we can to help the good people of the Philippines.

If you’re inside the Philippines, below is a list of reputable charities that are working to get help to the regions that are in dire need.  If you’re outside of the Philippines and you want to help, the Philippines Red Cross can accept your donations through PayPal.

Please donate what you can.

Philippine Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org.ph/

ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation – http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/sk/

GMA Kapuso Foundation – http://www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/

TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation – http://www.interaksyon.com/article/72842/want-to-help-alagang-kapatid-foundation-seeks-donations-for-quake-victims