SINGAPORE, 27 October 2016 – SINGAPORE’S home-grown humanitarian nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Mercy Relief has raised S$170,000 to go towards disaster recovery efforts of communities affected by Typhoon Haima in the Philippines.
Humanitarian response to Typhoon Haima has been effective to date but the needs on the ground have been evolving from emergency response to the need for tackling longer term issues. In Cagayan province alone, between 50,000 to 60,000 hectares of rice fields were flattened and flooded by the typhoon, causing serious concerns about food security and livelihoods. With this robust tranche, Mercy Relief will focus on restoring the long-term livelihood and enhancing the disaster preparedness capacity of Typhoon Haima survivors from these remote communities.
Global financial services corporation Mastercard responded to Mercy Relief’s fundraising appeal with US$50,000 (approximately S$70,000). The public appeal for donations was launched on 21 October 2016 and has received considerable support from both corporate and individual donors.
“Our hearts go out to everyone whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by Typhoon Haima,” said Georgette Tan, Senior Vice President, Communications, Asia Pacific. “Mastercard is pleased to work with Mercy Relief who acted immediately to bring relief to the affected areas and it has been heartening to see help being channeled quickly to people who need it most.”
Zhang Tingjun, Executive Director of Mercy Relief said, “Adapting to the evolving needs of survivors is crucial. Disaster relief does not just stop at emergency relief. We are also focused on assisting with livelihood recovery and longer-term survivability of the survivors of Typhoon Haima, which is equally important. The support from the community in Singapore has been very encouraging so far. We would like to thank all the donors, including Mastercard, and we hope that more people in Singapore will continue to make a difference by contributing to our public fundraiser.”
In total, almost 1 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haima. Furthermore, transport infrastructure in areas such as the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has been blighted by flooding, damage from debris or soil collapses, impeding further relief efforts.*
* According to data provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Mercy Relief’s relief distribution operations has reached about 750 households thus far, distributing food and non-food items such as rice, dried fish, canned food, oil, blankets and plastic sheets. Other needs of survivors pertain to shelter assistance and livelihood recovery. This involves provision of short-term income, galvanised iron and wood to rebuild housing, and seeds to replenish damaged crop. As accessibility to potable water remains limited in typhoon-hit communities in Cagayan, Mercy Relief has distributed 100 water filtration kits from local social enterprise, WateROAM. The ROAMfilter Lite is a light and portable water filtration kit that is intuitive and simple to use and clean. Each kit can be used for up to three years for a family of seven.
Mercy Relief’s Typhoon Haima Relief Fund will remain open until 30 November 2016 and members of the public can make their donations via the following channels:
1) Credit Card donation here.
2) Crossed cheque made out to “Mercy Relief Limited” with “Typhoon Haima Relief 2016” and email address written on the back of the cheque, and mailed to Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160
3) Cash donations at Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160
4) Fund transfer to Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account 054-900741-2
About WateROAM
WateROAM is a water innovation enterprise founded in Singapore in 2014 to develop water filtration solutions that bring about the quickest access to clean drinking water at disaster-hit locations, and help to promote social change in rural development areas. These water filters are designed to be highly simple, portable, durable, and affordable, thereby improving the access to clean drinking water significantly. WateROAM works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), companies engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and government bodies to reach its vision of building a world where no man shall face prolonged thirst.
For more information, visit http://www.wateroam.com
