Team prepared to assess needs on the ground in the most affected areas
BALTIMORE, MD (December 5, 2014) – In preparation for Typhoon Hagupit, which is expected to make landfall December 6 local time in the Philippines, Lutheran World Relief, a U.S.-based humanitarian agency, has made an initial commitment of $50,000 to assist those most affected and will be on the ground to assess needs and develop a plan to aid in both short- and long-term recovery. The storm is predicted to cause widespread damage and affect millions in an area still recovering from last year’s Super Typhoon Haiyan.
“We are monitoring the situation closely through our staff on the ground and with those here in the U.S. and are prepared to respond,” said Daniel Speckhard, president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief. “We send our support and prayers to those in the region. We will stand beside them during the recovery and rebuilding, and we urge donors to join us and help give what they can to the relief efforts of what is predicted to be a devastating storm.”
Lutheran World Relief is accepting donations for this emergency. Please give online at lwr.org/hagupit. Donors can also call 800-597-5972 or send a check to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Indicate “Philippines Typhoon” on your check.
Lutheran World Relief staff in the Philippines and from its Baltimore headquarters plan to travel Monday to some of the most-affected areas to assess damages, identify needs, and further develop a response plan.
The teams will meet with representatives of the United Nations, government agencies, local partners, churches and community groups to coordinate a response. Lutheran World Relief’s response will likely include a cash-for-work program and a shelter program similar to the programs it implemented following 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan. That response assisted more than 23,000 people through short-term work assignments clearing storm debris from schools, parks, roads and other public spaces, and distributed more than 5,000 shelter repair kits, providing shelter for more than 26,000 people.
Depending on needs on the ground, Lutheran World Relief’s response to Typhoon Hagupit may also include distribution of handmade Quilts, School Kits, Baby Care Kits and Personal Care Kits. Following last year’s Typhoon Haiyan, Lutheran World Relief provided more than $800,000 worth of these donated items to an estimated 69,000 people. To learn more about donating Quilts and Kits, please visit our website.
“Awareness of the coming storm and the potential damage is very high,” said Femia Baldeo, Lutheran World Relief’s country director in the Philippines. “Because Typhoon Haiyan hit just one year ago, communities haven’t completely recovered yet, and this storm could have significant impacts in the same areas. But thanks to the work of Lutheran World Relief and other nongovernmental organizations building relationships with the local governments, there is an amazing sense of preparation and calm around this emergency. So much work has gone into helping communities prepare for emergencies that, compared to the frenzy before Typhoon Haiyan, most people are feeling organized and ready for this storm.”
Lutheran World Relief has been working on the ground in the Philippines for several years leading the quality and accountability efforts for much of the country in tandem with local groups, community leaders and government officials. The organization has been highly active in previous relief and recovery efforts, including implementing cash for work, shelter, water, and sanitation programs and organizing trainings for hundreds of NGO and government staff to better prepare for and guard against the worst impacts of future disasters.
For more information about Lutheran World Relief and its programs, visit: www.lwr.org
