Balikbayan Box Drive: The 411

What happened?...
On September 26, shortly before noon in PST Typhoon Ketsana (also known as Ondoy) made its landfall in the Philippines with maximum winds of 85 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 100 km/h. The Typhoon caused widespread flooding in the metropolitan areas of Manila causing closures to major roads and the Ninoy Aquino airport. That afternoon, a “state of calamity” (also known as state of emergency here in the United States) was declared Metro Manila and other 25 provinces hit by the typhoon; this allowed officials to utilize emergency funds for relief and rescue. At that time, flood average was from two-feet to waist high, and in some areas more than six feet. Landslides and severe flooding left over 246 people dead, 38 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced. Ketsana is estimated to have caused over $100 million of damage as some parts are submerged in flood and mud.

But, wait, there’s more...
Then, within the same week, Typhoon Pepeng (also known as Parma) barreled through the Philippines, killing 17 people. The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines since 2006 packed winds of 75 mph with gusts up to 150 kph. As of late, Pepeng was predicted to leave after its devastation but has made a U-turn and was being pulled back by another, stronger storm. Heavy rain in and around Manila, which is about 350 km (200 miles) southeast of the centre of Pepeng, could worsen the situation in the Philippine capital which is still recovering from floods a week ago brought by a previous storm, Ketsana.

Nearly 300 people were killed and about half a million were forced out of their homes by Ketsana. About 6.5 billion pesos ($139 million) in crops, mostly rice about to be harvested, were also damaged, forcing Manila to consider more rice imports this year.

So what, now?
Because of these two devastating typhoons, over half a million people are displaced without food, clothing or shelter. These people are also at risk to contract serious diseases such as dysentery and e-coli. They have been relocated numerous times and are starting to run out of options and supplies. Think back to Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans was submerged in water. People evacuated to Houston, TX. Then they had to evacuate again because of Hurricane Rita. This is the situation in the Philippines. And we want your help.

Donations
This list is ranked in order of urgent need.
Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap
…and Clothing. Every little bit helps!

Drop Off Center @
Whittier Law School
3333 Harbor Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

I'll also be "tabling" in the hallway for anyone who would like to make case or check donations.