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Typhoon Yolanda – How to Help the Survivors Resource Center

Typhoon Yolanda – How to Help the Survivors Resource Center


The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and the full extent of the ravage is not yet even known.  My prayers and I know the prayers of all of us in Hawai‘i are with the people of the Philippines. They are a strong people and I know they will come back from this epic tragedy, but they need our help. I'm working to make sure the United States keeps supporting the Philippines now in this emergency and in their recovery efforts in the time to come. I am working to help ensure all U.S. Federal agencies are mobilized to support the Philippines in this time of need.  – Senator Brian Schatz
 

For Help Finding a Loved One

In Hawaii, we understand that family comes first and we know the safety and location of family and loved ones in the Philippines is first on our minds. To seek out help in finding family and loved ones, please call the Philippine National Red Cross Social Services Restoring Family Links and Tracing Services Center at (+63) 917-5328500. The American Red Cross has also activated family tracing services and the Honolulu Chapter of the American Red Cross can be reached at (808) 734-2101. You can also visit the following websites:

U.S. Federal Government Response Efforts

In the days following the typhoon, the United States has provided all resources that have been requested by the Government of the Philippines for relief efforts. In the hours following the storm, U.S. forces have focused on setting up command and control, in order to coordinate relief efforts and provide air and sea crafts for rescue missions.

  • Secretary of Defense Hagel has ordered the George Washington carrier strike group to the Philippines to support recovery operations.  As part of this strike group, 5,000 military personnel and 80 aircraft will be on hand to support relief missions.
  • The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and a humanitarian assistance survey team are on the ground conducting damage assessment, and coordinating intelligence and search and rescue missions.
  • Members of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines are also assisting with food and water deliveries.
  • The United States Pacific Command (PACOM) has tasked the Littoral Combat Ship Freedom to support recovery operations.
  • USAID has also activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team to conduct initial damage assessments and has provided $20 million in humanitarian assistance for the Philippines, which includes emergency food assistance, shelter, water, and hygiene kits.  Please visit the USAID websiteon Typhoon Haiyan for more information.

According to the USAID:

  • U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits Tacloban, announced an additional $25 million in USAID support for typhoon-affected populations
  • On December 18, the USAID DART—mobilized on November 9 to respond to Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan’s effects in the Philippines—transitioned to a field office as the emergency response phase shifted to early recovery programming.  USAID/OFDA will maintain a presence in the Philippines for the coming weeks to coordinate ongoing humanitarian response activity with the GPH, U.N., and other partner organizations.
  • As of December 29, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) had dispatched nearly 12,800 metric tons (MT) of food, including approximately 12,500 MT of rice, 268 MT of high-energy biscuits (HEBs), and 22 MT of specialized nutrition products.
  • USAID/OFDA provides $5.4 million in additional support to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support early recovery efforts.
  • On December 26, the Shelter Cluster published final results from a joint shelter–water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assessment conducted between November 28 and December 12.  The assessment found high levels of structural damage across typhoon-affected areas, with only 22 percent of households in those areas reporting no damage.  Of affected households, 48 percent stated that they needed support to complete reconstruction or repairs.
  • USAID/OFDA contributes nearly $755,000 for protection activities in affected areas
  • On December 18, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Tacloban city—where Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan caused widespread damage and destruction—with members of USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and other U.S. Government (USG) personnel.  While in Tacloban, Secretary Kerry announced an additional USAID contribution of $25 million to assist typhoon-affected populations, including $15 million from USAID/OFDA for early recovery activities and $10 million from USAID/FFP for continued food assistance.  This contribution brings total USG funding for the typhoon response to nearly $87 million.
  • On December 14, Philippine President Benigno Aquino reported that the country will require nearly $3 billion to rebuild following Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.  The GPH House of Representatives has ratified the country’s 2014 budget, which includes a $2.27 billion rehabilitation and reconstruction fund for typhoon-affected provinces.  The GPH plans to release its Yolanda Relief and Recovery Plan this month.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to travel to typhoon-affected areas and meet with President Aquino during aDecember 20–22 trip to the Philippines.
  • Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan damaged more than 63,200 hectares of rice crops in Eastern Visayas Region, according to the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster, the coordinating body for humanitarian food security and agriculture activities in the Philippines.  The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and partners are providing rice seed to cover nearly 54,900 hectares, and FAO has sufficient resources to cover the rice seed gap of approximately 8,300 hectares for the upcoming February/March planting season.  The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that an estimated 35,000 farmers will receive seeds for December and January planting in Western and Eastern Visayas regions. 
  • Disease surveillance reports indicate that the most common reasons for health consultations include acute respiratory infections, fever, diarrhea, high blood pressure, skin diseases, and wounds related to both typhoon trauma and debris clearing, according to OCHA.
  • Nutrition Cluster partners have screened more than 38,000 children under the age of five for malnutrition, detecting 172 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 671 cases of moderate acute malnutrition, according to UNICEF.  Humanitarian organizations are providing nutrition assistance to children identified as suffering from acute malnutrition through treatment programs.
  • Many typhoon-affected families have started to repair and rebuild their damaged or destroyed homes and require building materials, particularly tools and corrugated galvanized iron sheeting, according to OCHA.  Shelter Cluster partners report difficulty obtaining the type and quantity of iron sheeting required in affected areas.


On November 18, 2013, U.S. Pacific Command officially activated the Joint Task Force (JTF) 505 to coordinate the continued military response in the Philippines.

  • Lieutenant General John E. Wissler, USMC, commander of the 3d Marine Expeditionary Force, was designated commander of JTF 505.
  • JTF 505 consists of 850 personnel on the ground, and 6,200 sailors as part of the George Washington carrier strike group.  
  • An additional 1,000 Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are expected to arrive in the Philippines in about three days

U.S. military aircraft continue to provide substantial support to the relief effort.

  • As of November 17, 2013, U.S. military aircraft logged nearly 650 flight hours and delivered about 655,000 pounds of relief supplies since Operation Damayan began last Saturday.
  • In addition, U.S. military aircraft have transported 1,200 relief workers into Tacloban, one of the worst hit areas, and evacuated 4,9000 survivors from typhoon-impacted areas.  
  • Five Marine Corps KC-130 transport aircraft are currently providing heavy lift capability to move relief workers and aid supplies.  
  • Fourteen Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys are in the country delivering supplies to remote areas, helping bring aid workers and supplies to communities that would otherwise remain isolated

**Please check back, as we will be continuously updating information regarding the humanitarian disaster in the Philippines. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and survivors.**

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